File Sharing, or, downloading music

[thoreauvian]

I didn't know if this should go to this ethics section or an advice section, but what is your general opinion on file sharing, or, illegally downloading music or any other media? I have a feeling a lot of people on here will probably tell me it's wrong and sinful, and I guess I agree to some degree but I think it's a much better option than purchasing an album with no foreknowledge and having the album be terrible, or movie, you know?

I am by no means trying seriously justify it because I know artists and all those other people make money off of that stuff, but I create music and put it out for people to do with it as they wish, I don't care about that so it kind of lessens the degree of how wrongful it is in my eyes. I mean, if I like what I hear, I'll go out and buy the album or go see a show, but what do you think? Is it REALLY stealing? Let's pose a scenario. If your friend has an album you wanted to listen to and you borrow it, that isn't stealing is it? I mean, there are obvious lines drawn there but in essence, it is virtually the same scenario. Thoughts?

 

[bsd31]

How can you in one breath say you agree it is sinful and wrong and in the next breath say it is a better option than buying a record with music you don't like? How does that even make sense?

Coveting what another has is a sin. Stealing is a sin. Downloading music (or whatever else) is a combination of the two.

And before you think I'm being all high and mighty about it, let's be clear; I've done my share of file sharing and downloading. But I'll call a spade a spade and tell you exactly what it is. Stealing.

 

[Paul.]

How can you in one breath say you agree it is sinful and wrong and in the next breath say it is a better option than buying a record with music you don't like? How does that even make sense?

Coveting what another has is a sin. Stealing is a sin. Downloading music (or whatever else) is a combination of the two.

And before you think I'm being all high and mighty about it, let's be clear; I've done my share of file sharing and downloading. But I'll call a spade a spade and tell you exactly what it is. Stealing.

Amen!

 

[BFine]

I have noticed a lot of stores offer samples of music and movies--
many more have a movie or movies playing in the store.

I also check for movie trailers online and read a couple movie
reviews from different sources.
Lately more musicians are putting up sound tracks on their websites
to "hawk" their CDs.

 

[thoreauvian]

It's material just as any other material you'd find in a shop, but it costs nothing to duplicate electronic data so it's not in the same category as walking out of a mall with a DVD hidden in your jacket.

And fundamentally, the internet is meant to be a place of easy data transfer.

It's illegal and there's no argument to that, and downloading it is obviously not entirely morally correct but the importance of that is up to everyone. Personally I'm a fan of open source, shareware etc.

That's kind of what I was getting at. You covered what I was feeling. But in addition to that, I also write and record my own music and leave it out on the internet for anyone to download if they choose to. Of course, I am not in the music business, but I wouldn't put it out there if I didn't want people to listen to it and enjoy it through whatever methods they want to. Just my thoughts...

 

[homewardbound]

I don't understand how anyone can justify the illegal downloading of anything. It's illegal. And why try to soothe the conscience by declaring it a lesser sin. Sin is sin. And since when is stealing a "lesser" sin.

Just because the digital realm is open and easy to access doesn't give anyone the right to steal the intellectual/artistic property of others. Open source s/w, freeware, and the like are offered for free because the benefits are realized elsewhere. A music artist and the people who support him/her depend on record sales for their income. How would you like it if someone nibbled away at your bank account bit by bit (no pun intended)?

 

[lemon-aid stand]

I didn't know if this should go to this ethics section or an advice section, but what is your general opinion on file sharing, or, illegally downloading music or any other media? I have a feeling a lot of people on here will probably tell me it's wrong and sinful, and I guess I agree to some degree but I think it's a much better option than purchasing an album with no foreknowledge and having the album be terrible, or movie, you know?

I am by no means trying seriously justify it because I know artists and all those other people make money off of that stuff, but I create music and put it out for people to do with it as they wish, I don't care about that so it kind of lessens the degree of how wrongful it is in my eyes. I mean, if I like what I hear, I'll go out and buy the album or go see a show, but what do you think? Is it REALLY stealing? Let's pose a scenario. If your friend has an album you wanted to listen to and you borrow it, that isn't stealing is it? I mean, there are obvious lines drawn there but in essence, it is virtually the same scenario. Thoughts?

actually in canada it is legal to download files from the net.. it is against copyright laws to upload files.. so i download all the time and i have no quarrel within myself.. although. the question then would be extended to, what kind of material are you downloading.. "r" rated movies.. porn.. these things in themselves will lead you astray.. the fact that you download them isn't the issue.. the issue is why would one of God's children download something that is contrary to the nature of our Lord.. in Jesus... dale

 

[Sun Wukong]

I didn't know if this should go to this ethics section or an advice section, but what is your general opinion on file sharing, or, illegally downloading music or any other media? I have a feeling a lot of people on here will probably tell me it's wrong and sinful, and I guess I agree to some degree but I think it's a much better option than purchasing an album with no foreknowledge and having the album be terrible, or movie, you know?

I am by no means trying seriously justify it because I know artists and all those other people make money off of that stuff, but I create music and put it out for people to do with it as they wish, I don't care about that so it kind of lessens the degree of how wrongful it is in my eyes. I mean, if I like what I hear, I'll go out and buy the album or go see a show, but what do you think? Is it REALLY stealing? Let's pose a scenario. If your friend has an album you wanted to listen to and you borrow it, that isn't stealing is it? I mean, there are obvious lines drawn there but in essence, it is virtually the same scenario. Thoughts?

You're obtaining a product that is for sale without the people selling it's consent without paying for it.

Of course it's stealing.

Which is, of course, a sin.

Duh.

 

[Mattsanity]

I suck at obeying God's laws but it was easy for me to delete the songs I stole, especially if I had a decent amount of cash to support the artist.

 

[FromTheDarknessToTheLight]

It's definitely stealing. I used to be a "pirate" myself. Games, Music, Movies, I downloaded well over 1 tb of stuff. While having free music and stuff is nice, it's not worth it if it displeases God. I'll admit, I do many things to displease God these days, but I try at least to give up the things I know he wants me to give up. So I deleted everything I downloaded, and I only download things that I purchased and owned in the past, but lost, or got accidentally broken. Or something my family owns, like my mother's or father's music. Anyways, yeah. Give it up, brother. It's theft

Take care!

 

[Cactus Jack]

FYI- every song and game I illegally downloaded, I later bought. I downloaded them, checked them out & decided if I like them or not. If I do then I go buy a game or album and then I can listen to it anytime I want where ever I want. If I didn't like it, I deleted it.

Not everyone that downloads music or games is dishonest.

 

[parsley]

I also write and record my own music and leave it out on the internet for anyone to download if they choose to. Of course, I am not in the music business, but I wouldn't put it out there if I didn't want people to listen to it and enjoy it through whatever methods they want to.

Many people get paid down the line, in addition to the artist. We might look at music producers as greedy, but they still invest time, money and risk to put out the product. Marketing is incredibly expensive.

The copyright laws were designed with a strong heart for protection. If we want to retain that ethic in our legal system, it's important to stand behind the principles of protecting human rights.

 

[JimThePeaceful]

I agree. In a e-world we live in, we don't live in a physical market place where we test the fruits for spoils first. Downloading for testing before you buy is just spending money wisely.

 

[Cactus Jack]

Many people get paid down the line, in addition to the artist. We might look at music producers as greedy, but they still invest time, money and risk to put out the product. Marketing is incredibly expensive.

The copyright laws were designed with a strong heart for protection. If we want to retain that ethic in our legal system, it's important to stand behind the principles of protecting human rights.

Not to mention the skill it takes. If someone can sing, that's great! But they aren't doing it all. The producer tweeks the music into a final product that you buy.

 

[James Clarkston]

OK, so what if... you like some of the older Christian rock...stuff that is out of print and cannot be purchased except on eBay or at a garage sale, or some other way of buying it used...

If you share that with someone, reckon that's stealing?

I'm guessing, technically it is...but it'd be hard to try and find all the band members and ask them who owns the right (them or a publishing company) and try to pay royalties for the copy you share.

So, a brotha just shouldn't share even in this situation?

 

[James Clarkston]

Nobuddy???

 

[bsd31]

OK, so what if... you like some of the older Christian rock...stuff that is out of print and cannot be purchased except on eBay or at a garage sale, or some other way of buying it used...

If you share that with someone, reckon that's stealing?

I'm guessing, technically it is...but it'd be hard to try and find all the band members and ask them who owns the right (them or a publishing company) and try to pay royalties for the copy you share.

So, a brotha just shouldn't share even in this situation?

It's been a long time since I've seen a cassette tape but I believe they used to have a blurb about copyright on them. I'm pretty sure the vinyl records did as well. It probably said something similar to this

Unauthorized copying, duplication or rental of this recording is a violation of applicable laws.

Which too me seems pretty cut and dry. There's no "exception" clause stating anything to the effect of -

Unless the recording is rare and difficult to find.

If it is rare that just means it is more valuable to the person who happens to own a legal copy of it.