Why is it illegal to download copyrighted material?

Question

...such as any kind of music/video/software files that might be found on Internet/Altnet and so on?

The license that goes with such items is only legally binding for the buyer. Since I'm downloading what I have found online, something that someone else bought or stole and put there in spite of laws, I don't run into licenses that have to be accepted. I'm not distributing any copyrighted material either.

If you lost money because of my action, then you could call it theft. But mooks, CD's, DVD's, videogames are just out there, they have been bought and you - the artists and creators - have been paid for it. So my action wouldn't cause you any loss, therefore it can't be called theft. You wouldn't earn more money because of me, but who says I would want to pay for your stuff anyway? If I can find it for free, the better.

How does file sharing differ from making photocopies of books owned by others, such as libraries, friends, etc (for personal use)? The owners already paid the artists for their job, so you're not stealing anything if you make copies of something that has been duly acquired and is now owned by another individual or corporation that lets you. Most car models are also patented, but no one would arrest you for taking a picture of a trafficked road.

If you're viewing a site and find something interesting and make a copy for yourself, you're not stealing anything... The original is still there, on the remote server, and that's the responsibility of those who put it there. Like a criminal stealing your record collection, then giving away free pirate copies of your records... why are you guilty for giving in to such an act of generosity?

Answer 1

Let's say that I am an author, musician or software writer. Now, just suppose that I publish the thing at my own expense.

Did you want me to starve?

Please consider paying me for my work.

THANKS

Answer 2

Copyrighting is not a license, it is a legal recognition that a certain intellectual property -- writing, music, even an arrangement, any registered idea which may or may not have any actual physical existence -- belongs to its creator who must be recognized and compensated for its use.

If you're accessing copyrighted material on the Internet, you are viewing someone else's property, same as if you borrow a book from the library (which paid for its copy). If you download it, however, you are stealing it, just as if you stole the book from the library. If you download it from a site that has not paid to own a copy, AND for the rights (license) to distribute, you are then receiving stolen property.

The fact that this property is given away rather than being sold makes very little difference. It is still robbing the creator of just compensation.

Copyrights are for a limited time, but can be renewed. Eventually, however, copyrighted material passes into the public doman and is thereafter free for anyone to use.

Answer 3

Music, videos, software, or any other copyrighted material belongs to someone. They put their effort, their creativity, and their talent into creating it, just like a builder does with a house, or a cobbler does with a pair of shoes. They deserve to be rewarded for their effort as much as the market will bear.

If you download a copyrighted file from the net, you are accepting stolen goods, just as much as if you bought a hot TV out of the back of a van in a dark alley somewhere. Your argument is like saying, "I didn't break into anyone's house, so it's OK for me to buy this TV from someone who did". That's wrong - you are aiding and abetting a criminal.

Turn it around and put yourself in the artist's place. Suppose you wrote a song that was being played all over the country. You spent hours writing it, putting it to music, playing it, practicing it, getting it "just right". People were calling in and requesting it dozens of times a day. You even got a record deal, and earn something for every record sold. Teenage girls throw themselves at you, wanting to have your child. (OK, I'm kidding about that part - I was just wondering if you're still reading this)

But I buy a copy of the CD, copy the song, and put it on the net. Sales of your record plummet because people download this copy, instead of buying the CD. You had counted on earning enough money from that song to let you take 6 months off to write material for your next album, but the recording company tells you "Sorry, it only sold 10,000 copies. Here's your check for $250, and we're cancelling your contract because you didn't sell enough records". So you, the darling of the airwaves, are back to living with your parents, driving a taxi for a living, and trying to teach pimply-faced teenagers how to play guitar on the side when all they want to do is yell at a mike and say they're rapping like K-Fed.

Whoo hoo...

Gonna keep downloading? Do I need to start telling you about all the spyware that comes with that, too?

Bummer, eh?

Answer 4

You are making a copy for your own use, but you do not own a license for the use of said material. Therefore, you are in violation of the copyright law.

If you download something from the internet, you are stealing from the person who owns the license for the item you are downloading. You can technically be prosecuted for both the theft and the copyright infringment, but usually it is only the copyright that they will pursue.

At least according to my understanding.

Answer 5

go to music.msn.com get the music you want for only a little bit of money...

i have purchased 2 albums online for the price of just 1 at wal-mart..

Answer 6

If it was free how could anyone make money. If you steal then I'm loosing money!