[Brampton_Boy]

I recently gave up pirating software etc (which is a huge deal, as I am a giant computer nerd and have 2TB of HD space) for largely ethical reasons.

The whole situation came about when somebody asked me to explain how software piracy isn't theft. Long story short, I failed miserably, and was forced to admit that I was partaking in an illegal (albeit fun) activity.

Now that I have given up piracy (rendering my kickass computer largely ineffectual), I was curious as how others felt about the issue.

[JJ FRENCH]

You're the dude who looks like he's carrying a couple of invisible fridges right?

I don't care about people who steal tunes & vids. But this guy does:

[GracieMMABarra]

This...but not Limewire

[getoverit]

I dont see a issue with it.. So what if you get their music for free..

[dc007]

It's fun and free but however you slice it, it's theft and if you do it you are a thief.

[gsp12]

i buy music off itunes some times because buying a whole cd off them is cheaper then at a store. but for the most part i download illegally and i have no problems with it

[markulous]

You wouldn't steal a car...You wouldn't steal a television...

If someone doesn't get too carried away with it I don't see the big deal really. I'll often download a song or a movie only to buy it later.

[Keej613]

Here's a great way to rationalize it:

Would you have paid for it if you didn't get a pirated copy of it?

No.

So they didn't lose money that way.

Does the seller / company now have one less copy that they can't sell since you have a pirated copy of it?

No.

So they didn't lose money on it that way either.

That's the major difference between stealing intangible / "soft" / virtual goods VS stealing tangible goods.

Now, does that make it fair or right or ethical?

Well that simply depends on your own thoughts, feelings and beliefs.

But it still is ONE way to rationalize it.

[Valiss]

IT'S NOT THEFT. It's copyright infringement. There is a huge difference as far as the law in concerend.

If you STEAL a candybar from the store, you have the candy and the store does not.

In the case of downloading music/movies YOU have a copy and they still have the original, which in theory devalues the overall worth of the song/movie.

[GShark]

if you steal a cd from a store does the band still get paid? yes. don't think you're really stealing from them. they get paid to make the albums and they get cents on the dollar for each album. I'm sure on occasion Peter Frampton gets a $4 check from Frampton comes alive.