Can i get sued for downloading movies directly from websites?

Question

My web service provider is optimum online. Is it possible for me to get sued if i stream movies online and if i download them straight from a website?

Answer 1

I don't have a source, but my understanding is you can get sued civilly for downloading movies. There have been quite a number of stories in the news about lawsuits filed against individuals who download music and movies. In terms of streaming movies, that one is likely still a question mark. There is no real way to know as streaming has become more popular in the last few years.

Answer 2

Can you be sued in a civil court for financial damages?  YES.  Anyone can be sued for anything but that does not mean they will be successful.  

Can you be held criminally responsible and be prosecuted?  YES.  If the content is not yours and you neither have permission to use nor take the property, this is a form of theft.  Will you be prosecuted is an entirely different story.