Saturday, October 9

Piracy: Is It Morally Permissible?

Been doing a lot of ethical reasoning lately on the subject of piracy... While most discussions of piracy are superficial and unsatisfying (most often semantic games about whether piracy is theft), it's actually a very deep and perplexing issue. It raises very difficult questions, and presents some profound dilemmas concerning the future of the internet, civil rights, the entertainment industry, and even some deeper philosophical questions. I'll be doing some personal research on these more interesting matters, and following up with more posts this coming week.


But first, the question I have for you is this:

Is piracy morally permissible?

That is, whether or not it's legal. Whether or not it's technically theft.
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39 comments:

  1. Aeacus.WardenOctober 9, 2010 at 9:33 AM

    is it moral for big music, gaming, and movie companies to overcharge us for their greedy benefits? it should be considered theft for what they expect us to pay for a single album, dvd, or video game!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Some_Chi_GuyOctober 9, 2010 at 9:35 AM

    Well "piracy" propagates exposure to the selected medium that one may not have access to by other means. Said exposure leads to the possible purchase by those who might not otherwise made said purchase.

    In a way, piracy assists companies in spreading their merchandise. Now, if they ever decide to give out demos, for let's say, games, with a 3 day period of use, one may be more inclined to make the purchase of the unrestricted game.

    That's just an example, but relevant nonetheless.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousOctober 9, 2010 at 9:46 AM

    think piracy makes more publicly for bands imo. More people liking the band will support them by going to shows! Bands make big sales still and with limited editions cds or w/e it's gives them a lot of money. With games I think they should making more online games because I think less people will pirate!

    ReplyDelete
  4. mast3rcloakOctober 9, 2010 at 10:21 AM

    To me it's a try before you buy... if i pirate a game, cd, or program i'll try it out, and if i like it, I'll go ahead and buy it(not so much programs because i don't really have the money to buy a 300 dollar cd).

    ReplyDelete
  5. DrackarOctober 9, 2010 at 10:22 AM

    I think piracy is perfectly reasonable.

    It takes no money out of the pockets of artists..in many cases, it increases their income. I know many people who pre-view media via piracy to decide wither or not to buy it.

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  6. Kewt JessieOctober 9, 2010 at 10:47 AM

    Like mast3rcloak, it's only try before buy ... so yes, it's morally permissible.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mr.AwesomeOctober 9, 2010 at 11:15 AM

    I think piracy is like theft honestly. They make the movies or games to be bought and then you go and get it for free. Kinda beating the system.

    ReplyDelete
  8. RawrOctober 9, 2010 at 11:19 AM

    nice post, D:

    ReplyDelete
  9. SimonCOctober 9, 2010 at 11:35 AM

    no but, it will happen anyway

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  10. loveblogginOctober 9, 2010 at 12:07 PM

    piracy is bad and wrong

    ReplyDelete
  11. SC2 StratsOctober 9, 2010 at 12:38 PM

    Do I think it is morally permissible? No, but I'll do it anyway. :p

    ReplyDelete
  12. (Generic name)October 9, 2010 at 12:52 PM

    Piracy is downloading a copy of something and not stealing the original.

    ReplyDelete
  13. JCOctober 9, 2010 at 12:54 PM

    over priced music, films and games are theft.
    we are the victims, not large companies

    ReplyDelete
  14. AimlessTendenciesOctober 9, 2010 at 1:50 PM

    Long story short, yes.

    ReplyDelete
  15. McClaneOctober 9, 2010 at 3:15 PM

    Yes, I think its morally permissible. This way I can try something before actually buying it.

    Tha bad thing is when you like it and still don't buy it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. RealizeOctober 9, 2010 at 3:25 PM

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    ReplyDelete
  17. IglooOctober 9, 2010 at 3:32 PM

    you got me stumped on this one..

    ReplyDelete
  18. Some GuyOctober 9, 2010 at 3:40 PM

    GOD bless the pirate bay


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    http://reviewsandporn.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  19. http://starwars-stuff.blogspot.comOctober 9, 2010 at 3:57 PM

    This is one of the major issues of our time

    ReplyDelete
  20. Secret Guide to ShavingOctober 9, 2010 at 4:04 PM

    Yeah. I think it is.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousOctober 9, 2010 at 4:51 PM

    i like your post!

    ReplyDelete
  22. vibeOctober 9, 2010 at 4:55 PM

    im too poor to afford anything

    ReplyDelete
  23. Discerning GentlemanOctober 9, 2010 at 6:35 PM

    good job here!

    you just inspired more bubbles on "Enhanced by MS Paint"... check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  24. godmodeusOctober 9, 2010 at 7:33 PM

    here in Bolivia there is no even the original shops so there is no way other than piracy

    ReplyDelete
  25. comradejoker.blogspot.com/October 9, 2010 at 8:12 PM

    It should be permissible, there's no way to battle piracy without jeopardizing everyone's privacy.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousOctober 9, 2010 at 9:28 PM

    an interesting question

    ReplyDelete
  27. Nerd LifeOctober 9, 2010 at 9:54 PM

    you've got a great point on this one

    ReplyDelete
  28. DarianOctober 9, 2010 at 9:58 PM

    wow. that's a really nice pic. i think i'm going to save it on my comp lol

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousOctober 9, 2010 at 11:10 PM

    We are all pirates - But, the rich keep getting richer!

    What do you think of NoiseDiary.com?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Bob lehcrorOctober 10, 2010 at 12:45 AM

    It isn't theft

    ReplyDelete
  31. zeNOctober 10, 2010 at 4:36 AM

    The fact that we are not literally "hurting" anyone seems to make the act more enticing.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Quinn ElectronicsOctober 10, 2010 at 6:16 AM

    excellent points

    ReplyDelete
  33. AdrienOctober 10, 2010 at 9:12 AM

    I view songs as advertisement to go see their concerts, so the artists should promote the spreading of their songs. Software piracy is another matter though.

    ReplyDelete
  34. brunoOctober 10, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    i dont get guilty in my head when i do it

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 12:26 PM

    very interesting man thnx supp

    ReplyDelete
  36. pixelOctober 10, 2010 at 12:31 PM

    i think it depends on if you see your morals as coming from inside you, or externally influenced

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousOctober 10, 2010 at 2:43 PM

    Depends of your situation, If you have a job and you like to buy stuff, It gonna be better if you buy a software with your own key code, or buy music hard to get free. But if you still living with your parents, no job (so no money) there's not another option, besides, you should know that sometimes, companies don't care about piracy. Some forums are full of piracy and people report those forums, and nobody cares....

    ReplyDelete
  38. HiveNodeOctober 10, 2010 at 4:16 PM

    Piracy: I wouldn't have bought the game anyway, as I have no money = fine.

    Piracy: I would have bought the game but I'm a jew so I stole it = not fine.

    ReplyDelete
  39. rew123October 10, 2010 at 4:36 PM

    i think it is

    ReplyDelete

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