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For many, Netflix is the default way to watch film and TV shows. Move aside iPlayer, Amazon Prime Instant Video and traditional TV services such as Freeview Play – content is entirely on-demand now, and Netflix is to blame.

But as much as UK Netflix is a wonderful thing, you’re actually getting a raw deal compared to our cousins across the pond. Yes, that’s right, US Netflix users can watch more shows, more films and a whole lot more recent content than users anywhere else in the world.

Thankfully, a UK Netflix subscription works on the US version. The trouble is, however, that Netflix has started clamping down on VPN users, making it harder than ever to watch US Netflix. Don’t worry – it’s still possible to crack your way in. That said, if you’re worried about the legality of it all, there are a few things to consider.

Essentially, it’s a grey area. While it isn’t technically illegal to stream the content, because you’ve paid for it with your Netflix subscription – if you were actually in the US, you’d be legally entitled to watch US content – Netflix’s regional licensing agreements make the legal waters a bit muddy.

Currently, we’re yet to see any significant legal disputes arise over out-of-region streaming, but it is certainly morally dubious territory. While Netflix has said it’ll be clamping down on VPNs now that it’s truly a global service, this appears to be a move designed to appease Hollywood and publishers concerned about regional content licensing.

What's Netflix's stance?

For years, Netflix was essentially neutral on VPNs and extra-territorial streaming, turning a blind eye as its global numbers grew. However, on 1 January 2015, the company updated its terms and conditions to state that out-of-region streaming over a VPN was no longer supported, and last year it started to side with publishers over content restrictions.

It seems this has transpired due to the vague threat that some publishers may pull content from the service unless Netflix appears to be resolving the situation.

It’s worth noting that Netflix’s updated terms of service state that it “may terminate or restrict your use of our service, without compensation or notice” if it suspects you’re “in violation of any of these Terms of Use” or “engaged in illegal or improper use of the service”. You have been warned.

If you still want to stream content from US Netflix to the UK after reading all that, here’s how you can do it.