The morality of File Sharing

Redbaron998 · #1 Mar 4, '12, 1:41 pm

Hey Everyone,

So my question is about the morality of file sharing. (Downloading books, music, games, movies etc..)

So I believe this question has several tiers. Is it moral to download?

1. Files that are out of print so you are unable to buy them even if you wanted to.

2. Files that are old and you would like to have but would not pay for.

3. New files that you could buy.

I, like most people, believe that the laborer has a right to the fruits of their labor so I would say that downloading new materials (such as bootleg movies) would be immoral, but things that are out of print would be permissable since you could not buy them anyways, as for the second catagory I am not sure.

What do yall think?

God Bless,
Red

MidnightSun12 · #2 Mar 4, '12, 2:38 pm

If you're violating copyright law then it's stealing. Even if it's not available in stores or for legitimate download, it is still piracy and thus is still most likely a grave matter in the eyes of our Lord.

Lilsheep88 · #3 Mar 4, '12, 3:16 pm

There was a time that I would beat myself up over this.. but my final solution became so that sometimes I buy albums off itunes, sometimes download for free. But I buy most off my stuff on itunes now and If I cant get certain albums then I may use the free route.

Sharing is caring

A form of agape love.

FYI: I once read that if your purchased an album off itunes, the artists only gets like 9 cents from your purchase or something like that.. So sometimes I wonder if I purchase it through itunes if t it would make any difference at all since this will most likely only propagate a system where artists lose out if they decide to sell their material on itunes anyway.

James924 · #4 Mar 4, '12, 3:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redbaron998

Hey Everyone,

So my question is about the morality of file sharing. (Downloading books, music, games, movies etc..)

So I believe this question has several tiers. Is it moral to download?

1. Files that are out of print so you are unable to buy them even if you wanted to.

2. Files that are old and you would like to have but would not pay for.

3. New files that you could buy.

I, like most people, believe that the laborer has a right to the fruits of their labor so I would say that downloading new materials (such as bootleg movies) would be immoral, but things that are out of print would be permissable since you could not buy them anyways, as for the second catagory I am not sure.

What do yall think?

God Bless,
Red

I don't think that something being too expensive or being hard to find in any way justifies stealing. I'd never pay for a Lamborgini Diablo... and its hard to find a green 68' Firebird with an original 8-track... not gonna steal either of those...

Obviously once things get so old that they're in the public domain, then its fair game.

James924 · #5 Mar 4, '12, 3:37 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilsheep88

There was a time that I would beat myself up over this.. but my final solution became so that sometimes I buy albums off itunes, sometimes download for free. But I buy most off my stuff on itunes now and If I cant get certain albums then I may use the free route.

Sharing is caring

A form of agape love.

FYI: I once read that if your purchased an album off itunes, the artists only gets like 9 cents from your purchase or something like that.. So sometimes I wonder if I purchase it through itunes if t it would make any difference at all since this will most likely only propagate a system where artists lose out if they decide to sell their material on itunes anyway.

I'm not sure I understand the exceptions you're making here. Taking something without paying for it is stealing...theft...sinful.

James924 · #6 Mar 4, '12, 3:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidnightSun12

If you're violating copyright law then it's stealing. Even if it's not available in stores or for legitimate download, it is still piracy and thus is still most likely a grave matter in the eyes of our Lord.

PeterGStanley · #7 Mar 4, '12, 3:39 pm

Stealing is stealing - justify it if you want - your just fooling yourself.

Lilsheep88 · #8 Mar 4, '12, 3:40 pm

The internet is the wolf's territory, as you said. Anything that gets put is is fair game

.

James924 · #9 Mar 4, '12, 3:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilsheep88

The internet is the wolf's territory, as you said. Anything that gets put is is fair game

Nope.

Lilsheep88 · #10 Mar 4, '12, 3:44 pm

Besides in countries like Canada, people pay taxes to actually compensate.. like the blank CD and media tax because the government actually recognizes that everybody is doing it. Different in the US but Canada is NOT the US

I am not encouragaing it. Just saying that there has to be exceptions too..

Like classical music.. classical music compositions (like the works are Mozart) are supposed to be the property of public domain. So if I downloaded a classical music CD then NO I would not consider that stealing. Why pay 13 dollars when I can use that for donation money?

Lilsheep88 · #11 Mar 4, '12, 3:46 pm

Let me rephrase James, sorry.

In United States law:
Copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the author.
This applies to recordings as well, the copyright of a recording rests with the performing ensemble, or recording label.

Anything after that is fair game

James924 · #12 Mar 4, '12, 3:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilsheep88

Besides in countries like Canada, people pay taxes to actually compensate.. like the blank CD and media tax because the government actually recognizes that everybody is doing it. Different in the states but this is a justification for me

I am not encouragaing it. Just saying that there has to be exceptions too..

Like classical music.. classical music compositions (like the works are Mozart) are supposed to be the property of public domain. So if I downloaded a classical music CD lets say.. off frostwire then NO I would not consider that stealing. Why pay 13 dollars when I can use that for donation money?

The music (sheets, notes) is public domain. The performance isn't. If i train hard to be a performer, then perform vivaldi's 4 season's and record it and want to sell it, who are you to tell me I don't have the right to sell my own production and steal from me? The sheet music is public domain, learn the violen and play it yourself, don't steal from me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilsheep88

Why pay 13 dollars when I can use that for donation money?

Hmm...something seems to be tugging at my memory...

Quote:

“There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denari and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

Ah yes, that was it! Not very original, I'm afraid. Someone beat you to it 2,000 years ago.

PeterGStanley · #13 Mar 4, '12, 3:58 pm

Thou shall not steal.
Don't know why anyone would want to play in mortal sin territory.

Lilsheep88 · #14 Mar 4, '12, 4:00 pm

Okay.. so If I were to take a bible, dress it up with my own little cute designs (make it fancy and all), can I go out to the streets all sell this and try to make a profit off it? Is there a copyright in the bible?

James924 · #15 Mar 4, '12, 4:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilsheep88

Okay.. so If I were to take a bible, dress it up with my own little cute designs (make it fancy and all), can I go out to the streets all sell this and try to make a profit off it?

Yes, provided the translation is in the public domain. In other words, KJV yes, DR, yes, RSVCE2 no. NIV no.

By the way, what 70

Edit: This assumes you mean republishing the text of a public domain bible translation.