Is copying a CD a sin?

Question

i have to write an essay for school about why copying a CD isn't a sin. i know that its legal to "backup" your CD's. what should i make my main points? thanks.

Answer 1

When you purchase any copyrighted material from an authorized distributor, you are actually purchasing a private use license that authorizes you to use the material (such as software, audio, video, etc.).

The license limits what you can do with the material.

Digital Copy Right law allows you to copy the material within certain restrictions, such as fair use for research; any other use would require written permission from the copyright holder.

Making copies of copyrighted material without authorization and distributing it to others without paying royalties to all of the legal parties (not just the artist, but to the labels, etc.), constitutes theft (because the creators of the material are not paid for their product).

According to the Bible, "Thou shalt not steal" is one of the ten commandments; and thus, if you were to copy a CD without paying the owner of the product, you are "stealing" their material (which would be a sin).

But when you copy a CD within the law as an authorized user of the CD because you purchased it, you are not stealing, and thus, are not committing a sin.

Answer 2

# 1 The Seven Deadly sins

* Lust
* Gluttony
* Greed
* Sloth
* Wrath
* Envy
* Pride

You could say that there is no stealing in those words, so therefore it is not a sin. Your main points could be:
that to copy a CD is to share knowledge.
What if you are copying a CD for a friend that is on a term paper you did? It doesn't have to be about copying music or copywrighted materials.
You could state that different contries have different laws, and therefore it is not stealing to copy a CD.
If you are feeling particularly brave, you could argue that sin is non existent in some cultures and religions, only the crime, being that sin is a mostly a biblical reference in Proverbs 6:16 – 19.
I have also included a link in my sources on The United States copywirght act.
Have fun with it and good luck!

Answer 3

"Sin" is a religious concept. It's both immoral and illegal.

The law allows you to make a copy for your own use. That's so that if you lose it, or damage it, you still have what you paid for. It also allows you to convert it so that you can play the CD on an iPod for example.

It doesn't allow you to 'steal' it. That would be where you make a copy to give away to someone or to sell. If you believe theft is a sin, then yes, copying a CD is a sin.

Answer 4

Its a sin if you consider it theft. If your friend were to go into a store and steal the CD or ask you to make a copy, what would be the difference? The store owner, CD producer and musician/software company are still out the money for their hard work. Unless its intended to be copied and promoted that way. Some software or music is intended for copying and sharing.

Answer 5

Do you go to a christian school or public? A public school teacher should really be leaving the decisions of what is or isn't a sin up to your priest/pastor/rabbi/ or other spiritual leader.

As far as legality, copying CD's is okay. Giving them, and especially selling them, to your friends is copyright infringement.

Answer 6

Copying a CD is legit if it is for personal use, the minute you give a copy away it is legally considered stealing and that IS a sin.

Answer 7

A sin implies an immoral act, or in religion, violating religious doctrines. Backing up a CD certainly doesn't fall into either category - you aren't harming another or doing anything illegal/immoral. You are merely protecting your CD in case of scratches or damage.

Answer 8

Copying commercial CDs/DVDs which are copyright protected is highly illegal, shouldn't be doing that because it violates international copyright laws, if you get caught, you will get a fine or even risk being put in prison. Copy CDs/DVDs which you created, i.e. your family, holiday photos, music that you created from your computer or keyboard, video from your camcorder is perfectly legal, because it is not copyright protected.

Answer 9

You can copy to back up your cd's but not distrubute to other people, then its a sin. You have violated copy right. Remember if you didnt pay for it, it is the same as stealing. It is a sin to violate the law, and that is in the Bible.

Answer 10

I'm sorry to let you in on this, but copying someone else's CD IS a sin. In fact, its a violation of one of the Ten Commandments. Copying your own CDs, however is perfectly fine.