Think before you torrent: Warner Bros cracks down on users illegally downloading Friends

How often do you download popular television shows from some torrent site on the internet without giving it much thought? Next time, think twice before you download because Warner Bros is on the prowl.

The entertainment company has been sending notices to the people who have illegally downloaded episodes of the iconic American television show Friends and are asking them for $20 as fee.

The notice was posted online by TorrentFreak and started with a firm message from Warner Bros Entertainment Inc saying “This is not spam”.

It further states that while the company ‘appreciates’ the user’s love for Friends, the ‘unauthorized downloading of copyrighted content is a serious matter’ and they could be ’liable for civil penalties’.

“Although WB understands and appreciates that you are a fan of its content, the unauthorized uploading and downloading of its copyrighted content is a serious matter. Your ISP service could be suspended if this matter is not resolved. You could also be liable for substantial civil penalties for copyright infringement,” reads the notice.

But Warner Brothers is also trying to be friendly with the Friends fans. Not only are they offering the user a link to watch the content online legally, they are also asking for $20 as a nominal amount. “The damage to WB from your conduct substantially exceeds $20, but in the interest of having you stop your infringement of WB content permanently, WB is prepared to make you this settlement offer,” the notice explains.

Friends may have ended more than a decade back but clearly its popularity with the viewers and its value for Warner Bros Entertainment hasn’t diminished much.