Streaming video a mortal sin?

THE_ENCORE · #1 May 20, '12, 11:27 pm

I was recently watching a video on the internet and after about 2 hours I realized, am i stealing this? i tried to look if it was stolen or if Its legal and I can't tell but im wondering if it was stolen is this mortal sin, or atleast a grave matter?(Also good to note this program is usually free on television but was a couple of years old.)

Niji · #2 May 21, '12, 6:47 am

Im wondering the same thing as well in regards to anime streaming. My argument is that the shows originally air live on TV so anybody could watch it but the only difference now is that there on the internet for people to view who may have missed it. As long as I dont download the episodes and load up my hard drives will I be ok?

THE_ENCORE · #3 May 21, '12, 1:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niji

Im wondering the same thing as well in regards to anime streaming. My argument is that the shows originally air live on TV so anybody could watch it but the only difference now is that there on the internet for people to view who may have missed it. As long as I dont download the episodes and load up my hard drives will I be ok?

I decided since I don't even know that I have actually stolen the video or if it is legally free that I did not have the will to steal thus i have not committed mortal sin, but quite possibly a grave matter, and I think you should take it that way as well and don't do it again to show god your honesty, im going to bring it up in my next confession though, and I would like to hear answers from other posters as well.

Cristiano · #4 May 21, '12, 1:42 pm

Just relax and next time do your best to check if it is a legal video. If in your honest assessment there is no reasonable suspicion that the video is illegal then watch it.

**edwest2** · #5 May 21, '12, 2:38 pm

You didn't mention where you saw it. Part of any sin is having full knowledge that what you did/are doing is wrong.

On TV, every time they show a rerun, they have to pay the owner of the material a fee. The same on radio whenever a song gets played. The owner of the song gets paid a certain amount every time it's played.

To everyone reading this, just try to find out. Contact the webmaster of the site, or, if there's nothing there, I think I would err on the side of avoiding that site. I mean, in exchange for a monthly fee, I could start a site called Bob's Streaming Anime, and stream my own stuff, stuff I found elsewhere or somebody else's stuff. For free.

Ask your priest if you need further guidance.

Peace,
Ed

THE_ENCORE · #6 May 21, '12, 3:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwest2

You didn't mention where you saw it. Part of any sin is having full knowledge that what you did/are doing is wrong.

On TV, every time they show a rerun, they have to pay the owner of the material a fee. The same on radio whenever a song gets played. The owner of the song gets paid a certain amount every time it's played.

To everyone reading this, just try to find out. Contact the webmaster of the site, or, if there's nothing there, I think I would err on the side of avoiding that site. I mean, in exchange for a monthly fee, I could start a site called Bob's Streaming Anime, and stream my own stuff, stuff I found elsewhere or somebody else's stuff. For free.

Ask your priest if you need further guidance.

Peace,
Ed

ok I know the site was not the offical site but it had the name of the series in thewo title of it so im not sure if it payed the producer money or illegally streamed it, if it illegally streamed it, i did not have my full consent and did not question whether the site was illegal till after i thought about it. Also, would streaming a video thats originally free of television illegally be a grave matter? i mean its stealing but its very minor(though im not going to do it again off that site even if it is legal becuase IDK)

Cristiano · #7 May 21, '12, 4:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE_ENCORE

ok I know the site was not the offical site but it had the name of the series in thewo title of it so im not sure if it payed the producer money or illegally streamed it, if it illegally streamed it, i did not have my full consent and did not question whether the site was illegal till after i thought about it. Also, would streaming a video thats originally free of television illegally be a grave matter? i mean its stealing but its very minor(though im not going to do it again off that site even if it is legal becuase IDK)

Do not try to rationalize behaviors. The past is past and from now on you know that you have a moral obligation to verify that the streaming is legal. If it is legal you can go streaming from that site whenever you want; however, if it is illegal it is not stealing but it is still breaking the law and it is not a minor thing.

THE_ENCORE · #8 May 21, '12, 4:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristiano

Do not try to rationalize behaviors. The past is past and from now on you know that you have a moral obligation to verify that the streaming is legal. If it is legal you can go streaming from that site whenever you want; however, if it is illegal it is not stealing but it is still breaking the law and it is not a minor thing.

Obviously if i know something is illegal i will not do it. that i am unsure of the site's credibility i will not use it again, but now that I have used it in the past have i committed mortal sin? and will i have to confess before i partake in the Eucharist? thats what im wondering not if doing something illegal is okay as I know it is not.

Niji · #9 May 21, '12, 4:45 pm

This might help : http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=675830

I asked this question before and just recently got some new posters that helped me out.

THE_ENCORE · #10 May 21, '12, 4:58 pm

To my relief after doing some research the site I used seems to be legitimate, so i have not even committed sin. but now that this has been sorted out thanks to everyone who replied.

**edwest2** · #11 May 22, '12, 9:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristiano

Do not try to rationalize behaviors. The past is past and from now on you know that you have a moral obligation to verify that the streaming is legal. If it is legal you can go streaming from that site whenever you want; however, if it is illegal it is not stealing but it is still breaking the law and it is not a minor thing.

Illegal is not stealing?

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/cyber/ipr/ipr

Say you pay Netflix $5.00, or whatever, for the same thing? If streamed movies, TV programs and similar are going to make money on the internet, what should the moral position be?

Peace,
Ed