Going to the movies

Internet, mobile and television packages are usually sold as a bundle. Fibre is available in most big cities but not in remote towns.  Legal After registering at the Bürgerampt you will receive a reminder to pay for your TV licence.Please make sure you know the rules regarding VPN’s, streaming services, and downloading music. The TKMoG (Telecommunications Modernisation Act), came into force on December 1, 2021. If the provider does not provide the contractually agreed transmission rate, the customer can now reduce the monthly fee based on the newly introduced proportional reduction right. A special right of termination can also be used under certain circumstances. If a technician does not come on the agreed date or if there is a fault that has not been rectified, this can lead to compensation claims against the provider. Another change is that providers have to offer a 12-month contract and not only 24-month contracts. If the contract has expired you can now cancel it with a one month notice period. Previously your contract was automatically extended for another year if you did not cancel it in time. The new regulation will also apply to existing contracts. Comparative Sites Websites like Check24 and Verivox makes a comparison of products, services and prices. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions before signing up. Service providers Most service providers offer packages that include Home internet, mobile phone, landline and television packages. Please confirm that the service is available where you live before signing up. This is called Internet Verfügbarkeitsprüfung 1&1 Telekom O2  Vodafone Congstar German television You can find a list of German state-operated television stations here. Your bouquet will depend on your internet service provider for example this list from Vodafone In Germany for cable tv, the tv standard “DVB-C” is used: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-CFor “normal TV” via antenna, the standard DVB-T is used.So if you TV cannot handle DVB-T or DVB-C, then you will not be able to receive German TV channels.If your TV doesn’t support these broadcasting standards, you can buy a set top box (receiver) which will receive these channels and then shows the channels via an HDMI cable on your tv (like an “mnet decoder” basically). Search for “DVB-C receiver” on amazon and you will find many, starting at circa 30€ all the way up to 200€, depending on whether you want additional things like recording. Pay TV channels Sky Sony, can also be added to your Amazon prime account Disney Streaming services Streaming is legal in Germany as long as the service provider follows the correct copyright rules.  Torrenting is illegal in Germany. Be very careful of making illegal downloads! You can get hefty fines, this also applies to guests using your internet service.  You can read more about streaming on the European Consumer Centre Germany  – you can download their English Pdf here Safer-Streaming-EN     In today’s digital age, streaming has become a predominant way to consume media content. However, the distinction between legal and illegal streaming can often be blurred. Legal streaming in Germany involves accessing content through authorized services that have the right to distribute the content. These services often require a subscription fee or offer ad-supported content. Here are some key points about legal streaming: Licensed Platforms: Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and local services like Joyn and Maxdome are fully licensed to distribute their content in Germany. Subscribing to these services ensures you are accessing content legally. Public Broadcasting: Germany has a robust public broadcasting system. Channels like ARD, ZDF, and their associated streaming services (e.g., ARD Mediathek, ZDF Mediathek) offer a wide range of content legally and often for free. Subscription and Pay-Per-View Services: Services such as Sky Ticket, DAZN, and Apple TV+ operate on a subscription or pay-per-view basis, providing access to a wide array of sports, movies, and TV shows legally. Ad-Supported Platforms: Platforms like YouTube offer legal streaming of a vast amount of content, provided that the content is uploaded by authorized channels or individuals who own the rights. Illegal Streaming: The Risks and Consequences Illegal streaming involves accessing content through unauthorized means, often without the consent of the copyright holder. This is a violation of intellectual property rights and German law. Here’s what you need to know about illegal streaming: Pirate Websites: Websites that offer free streaming of movies, TV shows, and sports events without proper licensing are illegal. Examples include sites like Kinox.to and Movie4k.to. Torrenting and Peer-to-Peer Sharing: Using torrents or peer-to-peer networks to download or stream copyrighted content without permission is illegal in Germany. Popular platforms like The Pirate Bay and other similar services are not legal sources. Consequences: Engaging in illegal streaming can lead to serious consequences. German law is stringent on copyright infringement. Users caught streaming illegally can face hefty fines and even legal action. Monitoring and Enforcement: Internet service providers (ISPs) and copyright enforcement agencies in Germany monitor illegal streaming activities. They can track IP addresses involved in illegal streaming and take legal action against offenders. How to Stay Safe and Legal To avoid the pitfalls of illegal streaming, here are some tips: Use Legal Streaming Services: Stick to reputable streaming services that have the necessary licenses. This not only ensures you’re on the right side of the law but also supports content creators. Be Wary of Free Streaming Sites: If a site offers the latest movies or TV shows for free, it’s likely illegal. Always check the legitimacy of the streaming platform. Look for Secure Sites: Legal streaming sites usually have secure, HTTPS websites. Be cautious of sites with poor design, numerous pop-ups, or requests for unnecessary permissions. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest laws and regulations regarding streaming. Germany frequently updates its policies to combat piracy, and being aware of these changes can help you avoid legal trouble. You can read more about streaming on the European Consumer Centre Germany  – and download their English Safer-Streaming-EN.pdf file Article from Deutsche Welle – Warning on illegal downloads Information from the European Consumer Centre can be found here Vocabulary English German Mobile phone das Handy Landline das Festnetz Fiber optic das Glasfaser