Basically the MPAA/RIAA are going after uploaders. When you download a torrent, you are also uploading what you've downloaded as well.

From what I understand, some clients do allow you to turn off uploading. However keep in mind that many torrent sites don't like leechers. I haven't been in the torrent scene in some time so I don't know how it works now.

Direct download is the way to go.