Ethics of sharing TV files?

Question

**Please read my whole question before you answer!**

I'm confused about the legality and ethics of a specific area of p2p filesharing. I completely understand that downloading movies, dvds, or cds that have been illegally burned is illegal and unethical, and I get why.

What I'm NOT sure of is the legality of downloading television shows (not ones ripped from dvds, ones that have just been broadcasted) from another country. I mean, since the information is not AVAILABLE to be purchased anywhere in this country (and never will be, if you consider sports commentary shows and the like), is it even illegal?

As a seperate question, can this possibly be considered unethical? I mean, to download a tv show you couldn't get in the US even with the best satellite service available isn't taking money from ANYONE'S pockets, is it? At that point, can it really be considered stealing from an ethical point of view?

David B, okay, but then how are you "taking something to which you have no permission" any more than someone watching it on regular broadcast television in their home?

Could you elaborate on how this hurts the broadcasters?

Answer 1

Technically, if you can't get it in the US, its illegal to own a copy in the US.

Having said that, I doubt anyone would sue. They don't have the money to sell it on dvd.

Unless the author gives permission for it to be freely distributed over the internet, it is illegal to download it.

If I were you I would download it anyways, I mean there's no other way to get it. Besides no one loses anything. But if you really care about breaking the law....

Answer 2

From an ethics standpoint, it's the same issue. You're still taking something to which you have no rights, and to which the rights belong to someone else whose creative work and money went into the creation of the product.

Your action in filesharing damages their market to sell their work - in this case, licensing it to play sponsored by advertising. It's not yours, it's theirs - and if you take it in an unauthorized way, in my view it's the same as stealing.

Others may disagree - there are some who think "filesharing" is deserving of some special exemption. But I regard it as stealing the work of others.

Answer 3

It is not unethical unless you are selling the files.
The information was part of a public broadcast,
and you are not in any way reducing the owners
market for it.
It might be illegal somewhere, but prosecution is
unlikely.

Answer 4

the central issue seems to be whether the artist and other rights-holders are to be paid for their investment or not. basically, i think it is stealing if someone downloads a song without paying for it. it is unethical for sure...