Yes, it is radically different. Theaters give a limited number of free passes, be it to help build word of mouth, as a way of keeping loyal customers, or as it appears in your case, as a gift to family & friends.
I'll try to spell this out in a simple way to you: The key word there is GIVE. It is something that they OWN, so it is theirs to GIVE.
What you are doing is TAKING the movie viewing from the rightful owners, without compensating in whatever way the owners want to be compensated. TAKING something against an OWNER'S permission is STEALING.
And perhaps you can show me the law that says it is illegal to watch? You won’t find it.
The Federal Copyright Act (Public law 94-553, Title 17 of the United States Code). I dare you to go to the FBI and tell them that you think you aren't violating Title 17 by night after night by streaming video - I know people that have been busted by the FBI for video theft.
You want a write up analysis of the law? Look here.
Sorry, not a bit of guilt about it.
Yeah, twisting words to try to make believe that theft isn't theft. Meet your hero, thief:
