So would u say as long as they remove stuff when requested then they are legal?
No,
Posting of copyrighted content isn't legal. But when company contacts you, and you remove the content. You are safe, no one can bring you down if you respect the law by removing the content on request.
Bullshit that Netherlands, Malaysia, etc is safe. That's just bullshit, there are many warez linking forums hosted in the USA, and they are up. Because they remove the content on request.
Most of the forums that are hosted in Netherlands, are smaller forums. And DMCA,BREIN,Companies, and other copyright agencies. Does not give a fuck about smaller sites, they just send request of removeal. And that's all, they don't give a fuck if you remove it or not, you're not big. So you're not a threat for them. That's the main reason why are all those forums up.
Even Warez-BB, the biggest warez linking forum on the whole goddamn planet, respects the copyright agencies, companies, etc. Even in real life, you gotta co-operate with everyone to stay on the top.