Why piracy isn't stealing?

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 stealing?

It is no different than shoplifting the same program from a computer store. It doesn't matter whether you copied copyrighted material from a friend, illegally downloaded from the internet, or purchased from a person who was selling illegally made copies; it is all 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 is piracy right?

Piracy is Ethical

"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. They also hold the idea of that reproduction and distribution of software a part of fair use within copyright law.

Piracy it's a crime

Is piracy morally ok?

Some people think it is, some say, "oh, I know it's wrong but I do it anyways." But regardless of this, unless you have some radical philosophical beliefs, even if you are a pirate, you'll have to acknowledge that it's morally reprehensible to freely take someone's work that was made with the intention of profit.

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.

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).

How much money is lost to piracy?

70,000 jobs a year are lost in the United States due to music piracy. Annual global revenue losses from digital piracy are between $40 and $97.1 billion in the movie industry. Illegal downloading of copyrighted materials takes up 24% of the global bandwidth.

What is the biggest victimless crime?

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

Why piracy isn't stealing?

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.

Do the police care about pirating?

If downloading a pirated movie, or TV show, and you're not going to use it for commercial use, could the police still track you and make you go to jail? The police wont do a thing if you download movies or TV shows, whether you are going to use it for commercial purposes or not.

Is it illegal to watch piracy?

If you're simply watching a stream of unlicensed content, you're not technically breaking the law. Where it becomes a crime is if you download the movie or show or host a stream yourself.

Is piracy really a problem?

You can get into serious legal trouble if caught, resulting in jail time and serious fines. But legal trouble is not the only threat from digital piracy. Malware and vulnerabilities can put systems at serious risk of attack. While it may seem harmless, piracy costs billions every year in damages and loss.

Is piracy morally wrong or just downright illegal?

The use of unlicensed software is illegal, plain and simple. Downloading commercial software is unethical, as it is the virtual equivalent of stealing. Piracy is the theft of intellectual property and is no more acceptable than shoplifting.

What is the most pirated thing ever?

Pornography is the most pirated content. 71,000 jobs are lost in the USA due to online piracy. 16% of the software on personal computers in the USA is unlicensed.

What pirate stole the most money?

The highest-earning pirate ever was Samuel "Black Sam" Bellamy, an Englishman who made his bones patrolling the New England coast in the 18th century. By our calculations, "Black Sam" plundered an estimated $120 million over the course of his career.

How strict is piracy in USA?

(Title 17, United States Code, Sections 501 and 506). 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.

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 does piracy go back?

The earliest documented instances of piracy are the exploits of the Sea Peoples who threatened the ships sailing in the Aegean and Mediterranean waters in the 14th century BC. In classical antiquity, the Phoenicians, Illyrians and Tyrrhenians were known as pirates.

Who does piracy hurts?

One must also remember that piracy is theft at the end of the day, and it isn't just big industries and companies suffering from this threat. Content creators also lose money and suffer from negative impacts to their platform, which can discourage further creation.

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.

Why do you think piracy is a crime?

Online piracy has an economic impact, as it affects government revenue streams and puts you – the consumer – at risk of financial loss. It also opens up security risks to consumers such as ID theft or exposing children to inappropriate content.

Why do people think piracy is bad?

Illicit sites, apps and devices provide hackers the ability to exploit consumers by exposing users personal data to criminals – such as credit card and bank details, passwords and photos.