Downloading movies/mp3's, is it really stealing?

[White Israelite]

So I'm wondering from a religious standpoint, I'm not sure how many members here download mp3's or movies online, but what i've come to identify as "stealing" is taking something that isn't yours, a physical item. In todays age, we have mp3's and music which one can download free.

Those who defend downloading mp3's, they claim that it gives them the option to sample a bands music before purchasing it. Others claim that it isn't harming the music industry because they likely would not have bought the cd to begin with.

Movies, ever since the introduction of DVD's, we were told piracy would be more difficult, the reverse happened, now movies are available while still in theatres.

Because pirated movies/music are in digital form, is this really a form of stealing? I'm curious what members opinions are on this.

[muman613]

Shalom,

According to my understanding  any thing gained without paying for it is stealing. As such I do not engage in downloading mp3's unless the author of the material has given express permission for the material to be downloaded. People who publish material which is copyrighted and share it with others is stealing.

I have heard various arguments about this. I work in the digital video/audio business and my customers trust me with material. I would never engage in stealing this material.

muman613

PS: Stealing doesnt necessarily mean stealing a tangible item. It is possible to steal time too...

[White Israelite]

Shalom,

According to my understanding  any thing gained without paying for it is stealing. As such I do not engage in downloading mp3's unless the author of the material has given express permission for the material to be downloaded. People who publish material which is copyrighted and share it with others is stealing.

I have heard various arguments about this. I work in the digital video/audio business and my customers trust me with material. I would never engage in stealing this material.

muman613

PS: Stealing doesnt necessarily mean stealing a tangible item. It is possible to steal time too...

Wouldn't be open a very broad definition of what is stealing and what isn't?

For example, you go on youtube to view a newsclip from CNN about terrorism, CNN hasn't given you permission to view it, is that a form of stealing?

What about movies/music that are sold in foreign countries but not licensed in America, because it's not sold in the US, there is no way to buy it, so effectively would that be stealing by downloading unlicensed tv shows/music?

I watch Japanese MMA online because it isn't aired on tv here in the states nor is it available for broadcast, if I had the option to buy it, I would.

Do you understand where I am coming from?

[Dr. Dan]

pm me the spot where you are getting free mp3's..

[muman613]

Shalom,

According to my understanding  any thing gained without paying for it is stealing. As such I do not engage in downloading mp3's unless the author of the material has given express permission for the material to be downloaded. People who publish material which is copyrighted and share it with others is stealing.

I have heard various arguments about this. I work in the digital video/audio business and my customers trust me with material. I would never engage in stealing this material.

muman613

PS: Stealing doesnt necessarily mean stealing a tangible item. It is possible to steal time too...

Wouldn't be open a very broad definition of what is stealing and what isn't?

For example, you go on youtube to view a newsclip from CNN about terrorism, CNN hasn't given you permission to view it, is that a form of stealing?

What about movies/music that are sold in foreign countries but not licensed in America, because it's not sold in the US, there is no way to buy it, so effectively would that be stealing by downloading unlicensed tv shows/music?

I watch Japanese MMA online because it isn't aired on tv here in the states nor is it available for broadcast, if I had the option to buy it, I would.

Do you understand where I am coming from?

Hi,

I am not sure of legality, so what I say is merely my understanding and opinion.

I believe that the creator of the material maintains rights on his creation. I think this is called Copyright. I am a software engineer and I want to be paid for my creation. If people steal my programs I dont get paid and cant feed myself and my family. Similarly a musician creates music and puts in out on CD. He intends to get paid for his effort. If a man comes along and copies the song to mp3 and puts it on the internet, that man is guilty of stealing from the creator. There are cases {such as the Grateful Dead} where the artist/creator gives blanket permission for the work to be given out for free. This is the option of the artist/creator.

It is wise to consider each action you make and whether you are gaining at the expense of the person who created. Then the question becomes 'what if you didn't gain anything'....

muman613

[White Israelite]

Shalom,

According to my understanding  any thing gained without paying for it is stealing. As such I do not engage in downloading mp3's unless the author of the material has given express permission for the material to be downloaded. People who publish material which is copyrighted and share it with others is stealing.

I have heard various arguments about this. I work in the digital video/audio business and my customers trust me with material. I would never engage in stealing this material.

muman613

PS: Stealing doesnt necessarily mean stealing a tangible item. It is possible to steal time too...

Wouldn't be open a very broad definition of what is stealing and what isn't?

For example, you go on youtube to view a newsclip from CNN about terrorism, CNN hasn't given you permission to view it, is that a form of stealing?

What about movies/music that are sold in foreign countries but not licensed in America, because it's not sold in the US, there is no way to buy it, so effectively would that be stealing by downloading unlicensed tv shows/music?

I watch Japanese MMA online because it isn't aired on tv here in the states nor is it available for broadcast, if I had the option to buy it, I would.

Do you understand where I am coming from?

Hi,

I am not sure of legality, so what I say is merely my understanding and opinion.

I believe that the creator of the material maintains rights on his creation. I think this is called Copyright. I am a software engineer and I want to be paid for my creation. If people steal my programs I dont get paid and cant feed myself and my family. Similarly a musician creates music and puts in out on CD. He intends to get paid for his effort. If a man comes along and copies the song to mp3 and puts it on the internet, that man is guilty of stealing from the creator. There are cases {such as the Grateful Dead} where the artist/creator gives blanket permission for the work to be given out for free. This is the option of the artist/creator.

It is wise to consider each action you make and whether you are gaining at the expense of the person who created. Then the question becomes 'what if you didn't gain anything'....

muman613

That's understandable, but lets say you marketed your product only in the US and not in Europe or Asia, if you had never intended to offer it there but people were obtaining it, would you really be losing anything?

I guess the same applies with the television shows that aren't aired in the US, they don't offer the shows for sale in the US nor do they air them, so essentially, is the creator really losing anything if they never planned to market it in the US to begin with?

[nopeaceforland]

It's only stealing, if you get caught!

[Ulli]

I think it is stealing. 

[Vito]

pm me the spot where you are getting free mp3's..

 

[RanterMaximus]

Yes, I do believe it's stealing.  But most movies and music today are so God awful, you would want to pay for the?

[White Israelite]

Yes, I do believe it's stealing.  But most movies and music today are so G-d awful, you would want to pay for the?

Pretty much what I was thinking.

There's also documentaries I watch that the liberals post for free on youtube to counter their arguments, I wouldn't want to support them by paying for their documentaries.