Why piracy is not theft?

A common explanation for why copyright infringement isn't theft is that the original copyright holder still possesses the work they made, unlike the theft of an object.

Is piracy actually theft?

Although at first glance, piracy might seem like a victimless crime, it's still considered theft.

What is the difference between pirating and stealing?

Physicality: i.e. whether the act involved moving a material object. Typically, traditional theft involves physical presence, whereas “online piracy” does not.

Why is piracy not a victimless crime?

Counterfeiting and especially piracy are sometimes called "victimless crimes." But while pirating or counterfeiting a highly profitable product like software might not be violent or physically injurious, there are certainly victims. And this harm caused can extend far beyond software developers.

Why do you think piracy is a crime?

Amongst key risks, they may contain inappropriate content in the case of minors or malware that could infect your computer. Online criminals may also hijack your personal details and share with other criminals, leading to fraud or personal identity theft.

Copying Is Not Theft - Official Version

Why did people choose piracy?

Many pirates came from poorer urban areas in search of a way to make money and reprieve. London in particular was known for high unemployment, crowding, and poverty which drove people to piracy. Piracy also offered power and quick riches.

Has anyone ever gone to jail for piracy?

A 26-year-old California man who pleaded guilty last December to criminal copyright infringement charges was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison -- the longest U.S. sentence ever for software piracy -- for his role in illegally copying and selling pirated software (download PDF).

Why is piracy ethical?

Piracy is Ethical

They believe in the freedom of information and expression (ie. "information wants to be free"). According to them, it is acceptable and ethical to copy the software because they have a right to the information contained in the software.

Is piracy always ethical?

The term itself suggests a highly unethical activity and the industry often tries to argue that piracy is tantamount with theft. However, most authors agree that level of moral in- tensity of digital piracy remains quite low (Logsdon et al., 1994).

What is the biggest victimless crime?

VICTIMLESS CRIMES INCLUDE DRUG ABUSE, PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, PROSTITUTION, VAGRANCY, AND CERTAIN VOLUNTARY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR.

Where is pirating not illegal?

Our Verdict. Downloading and sharing torrent files is not illegal. But, torrenting copyrighted material without permission is illegal in most countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and most European Union states. Uploading (seeding) copyrighted works is always illegal.

How much of a crime is piracy?

Software piracy is illegal in California under Penal Code Section 350. The law makes it a felony, punishable by either two, three, or five years in state prison, to take a trademarked product worth more than $400 and copy it without the trademark owner's permission.

Is piracy always illegal?

Digital piracy is the act of downloading and or distributing copyrighted material and intellectual property without paying for it. And it is most certainly an illegal act. Digital piracy is a violation of federal copyright laws. It can result in steep fines and imprisonment.

Do people still get sued for piracy?

Making unauthorized copies of copyrighted music recordings is against the law and may subject you to civil and criminal liability. A civil lawsuit could hold you responsible for thousands of dollars in damages.

What are the benefits of piracy?

The fact that piracy attracts price sensitive consumers suggests a potential benefit of piracy in a competitive market. By attracting away price sensitive consumers, piracy could reduce firms' incentive to undercut each other on price, thus reduce market competition and increase market price.

Is piracy a moral issue?

C2: Therefore, piracy is unethical. However, though piracy may be unethical, in some cases it could very well be justifiable.

Is piracy legal or socially justified?

Noncommercial software theft or piracy, while currently illegal because it violates the copyright laws, is justified ethically, economically, and socially, and should therefore be allowed.

Is piracy a necessary evil?

While many people treat piracy as evil and condemn those who did so, others treat it as necessary for the industry to thrive. There will always be a thin fine line between what is correct and what is wrong.

Why is pirating a moral challenge?

Arguments for Piracy

Stealing a physical object can be a moral dilemma for many people because it deprives an owner of their rightful property, and damages the person.

Is it wrong to pirate games?

Finally, it's important to remember that using pirated gaming content is illegal. Depending on the jurisdiction in which you live, it could lead to fines or even jail time, if use of cracked software can be traced back.

How serious is piracy in the US?

Any piracy and privateering could result in federal criminal charges with severe penalties. These types of federal offenses are often complicated because both United States and international laws could be filed based on the case's specific details.

How far back does piracy exist?

Ancient Piracy

One of the oldest documents (inscription on a clay tablet) describing pirates dates back to Pharo Echnaton (1350 BC). The report mentions notorious free lance Mediterranean shipping attacks in North Africa.

How far does piracy go back?

The earliest documented instances of piracy were in the 14th century BC, when the Sea Peoples, a group of ocean raiders, attacked the ships of the Aegean and Mediterranean civilisations.

Who was the worst pirate in history?

Edward Low started his piratical career in 1721 in the Caribbean. Over the next few years, Low blazed a path of destruction, becoming, according to one contemporary account, “the most noted pirate in America” – and certainly the most vicious. He seemed to relish torturing and killing his victims.

Where is piracy most common?

It was only after a concerted international effort led by the UN to combat Somali piracy that the number of piracy attacks off of the Somali coast dropped dramatically in the late 2010s. Nowadays, most pirate attacks are committed in the Singapore Straits and off the coast of Peru.