kazaaman
12-11-2006, 01:53 AM
Is downloading copyright materials stealing?
Well to answer this question, we must first define what stealing is.
Steal (v. stole (stl), sto·len (stln), steal·ing, steals)
1. To take (the property of another) without right or permission.
2. To get or effect surreptitiously or artfully: steal a kiss; stole the ball from an opponent.
3. To move, carry, or place surreptitiously.
Definition Source (http://www.tfd.com/steal)
While the three definitions above apply to us file-sharers, the first one is of interest in this topic.
The 1st definition is technically correct; we do "steal" when we download copyrighted data. Yes, it is technically stealing but technicality sometimes doesn't work very well on the internet. :noes:
Below are 3 scenarios which may clear all this up....
Scenario 1:
I download an program and discover that it doesn't do it's job well and sucks. I uninstall it from my computer.
By definition #1 this is stealing, but human intuition tells us that if we had bought it, the company would have taken our money unfairly!! :angry:
Conclusion 1: Not stealing because we tried the program, didn't like it and uninstalled it.
Scenario 2:
I download a movie a week before it comes out on DVD out of curiosity and find it thoroughly enjoyable. When it's released in stores a week or two later ;), I go to my neighborhood entertainment store and purchase it.
Again, by definition numero 1 this is stealing, but human intuition tells us that we paid for the DVD so therefore its ok.
Conclusion 2: Not stealing because we bought it when it came out.
Scenario 3:
I download a/some mp3s and love listenin' to it/them. When the CD comes out, I refuse to buy it/support the artist in any way.
Last but not least, by definition #1 this is stealing and my human intuition says that I like this/these song(s), therefore I should support the artist.
Conclusion 3: Definitely stealing!!! You are enjoying music someone has worked to make, yet you aren't supporting the creator.
I've given the scenarios above to emphasize one thing, download all you want from our beloved P2P networks, but if you truly like something, then please BUY IT!
If you are still having a lil trouble understanding just read the following below.
Real Life = In Bold
Internet = {}
- You walk into a store and like the look of a particular shirt
- {Ads/Word of Mouth on internet}
- You go into the fitting rooms to try it on
- {Downloading from P2P network and installing}
- You either like the shirt or you don't
- You go to the cashier if you liked it
- {You keep the program on your computer and buy/support it}
- You didn't like it so you put the shirt back on the rack and leave the store empty
- {Uninstalled the program and be worry free!}
The basic underlying message in all of this is BUY/SUPPORT it (whatever it may be) if you like it, and LEAVE IT ALONE if you don't!
This article was mainly posted so that some questions about filesharing be answered as there is no one yes or no answer for this topic. I know that I am a pretty moral person and I know there are many others like me out there so I hope this helps you guys in making your decision, whatever it may be.
Well to answer this question, we must first define what stealing is.
Steal (v. stole (stl), sto·len (stln), steal·ing, steals)
1. To take (the property of another) without right or permission.
2. To get or effect surreptitiously or artfully: steal a kiss; stole the ball from an opponent.
3. To move, carry, or place surreptitiously.
Definition Source (http://www.tfd.com/steal)
While the three definitions above apply to us file-sharers, the first one is of interest in this topic.
The 1st definition is technically correct; we do "steal" when we download copyrighted data. Yes, it is technically stealing but technicality sometimes doesn't work very well on the internet. :noes:
Below are 3 scenarios which may clear all this up....
Scenario 1:
I download an program and discover that it doesn't do it's job well and sucks. I uninstall it from my computer.
By definition #1 this is stealing, but human intuition tells us that if we had bought it, the company would have taken our money unfairly!! :angry:
Conclusion 1: Not stealing because we tried the program, didn't like it and uninstalled it.
Scenario 2:
I download a movie a week before it comes out on DVD out of curiosity and find it thoroughly enjoyable. When it's released in stores a week or two later ;), I go to my neighborhood entertainment store and purchase it.
Again, by definition numero 1 this is stealing, but human intuition tells us that we paid for the DVD so therefore its ok.
Conclusion 2: Not stealing because we bought it when it came out.
Scenario 3:
I download a/some mp3s and love listenin' to it/them. When the CD comes out, I refuse to buy it/support the artist in any way.
Last but not least, by definition #1 this is stealing and my human intuition says that I like this/these song(s), therefore I should support the artist.
Conclusion 3: Definitely stealing!!! You are enjoying music someone has worked to make, yet you aren't supporting the creator.
I've given the scenarios above to emphasize one thing, download all you want from our beloved P2P networks, but if you truly like something, then please BUY IT!
If you are still having a lil trouble understanding just read the following below.
Real Life = In Bold
Internet = {}
- You walk into a store and like the look of a particular shirt
- {Ads/Word of Mouth on internet}
- You go into the fitting rooms to try it on
- {Downloading from P2P network and installing}
- You either like the shirt or you don't
- You go to the cashier if you liked it
- {You keep the program on your computer and buy/support it}
- You didn't like it so you put the shirt back on the rack and leave the store empty
- {Uninstalled the program and be worry free!}
The basic underlying message in all of this is BUY/SUPPORT it (whatever it may be) if you like it, and LEAVE IT ALONE if you don't!
This article was mainly posted so that some questions about filesharing be answered as there is no one yes or no answer for this topic. I know that I am a pretty moral person and I know there are many others like me out there so I hope this helps you guys in making your decision, whatever it may be.