Illegal Computer Software

  • Thread starter Thread starter DatGangstaStuff
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DatGangstaStuff

Guest
Hey- I’m a musician and I make music using two different very efficient computer programs that I use quite often. However, I did come by thise programs by friends in an illegal way. I have not thought twice about it since now though (I don’t know why I’ve just thought about it)… What do I need to do? I really need these programs to make my music… I will confess these sins, but what else? Should I give the money that I would owe for these programs to the poor or something to make restitution? Someone help me.
 
Can these programs be purchased at the store? If you do this, then the right people will be compensated for using the program.
 
Okay yeah… I could probably find some way to purchase them in the store… Hopefully… but let me complicate the question a little… before I had the programs my friend had them and he’s a wizard on it so he’s made a lot of sweet beats that we’ve made songs with… Was it sinful for me to make these songs with him? Is it sinful for me to do so? Jeeze… I hope not- That would tear everything apart… I’m pretty sure he has fruity loops (thats the program) “illegally”, but its been such a long time, and I really don’t know the particulars about it… Can I still make music with him (I.e. use beats he makes with that program)?
 
You can’t change the past. You can also only make amends for what you did. Purchase the software and go forward from there.

If your friend asked you to go to a store and steal a CD would you do it? So IMHO you should refuse to help him steal from those that own the software. Invite him to use the one you purchase from the proper people.
 
Buy the software if at all possible. As a musician you should be acutely aware of the money that musicians lose from lost sales due to pirated music. It’s exactly the same with software.
 
Okay- about what Kathleen said about not being able to change the past- I realize that but we will do shows where we use the beats made on that software and question and we still sell CDs sometimes (this isn’t like a big music group- very very local) with the beats made from the software on question on it… Can I still put on performances in good conscience using those beats? The thing is, if I just went and bought the software for him, I think it would be okay then because I could just re-create the beats exactly the same way on the new software, but I’m gonna need to work up the money to do that, so is it okay till then to keep performing those same beats?

Also, if my friend refuses to buy the software legally (which he’ll obviously do) can I continue to use beats from him? I guess I could just buy the software for him in essence which is kinda sucky cuz I gotta work up that money, but maybe thats the only solution… It comes down to do I have to make sure he doesn’t use the pirated software too since I’ll be using beats he makes?
 
Oh- might I add as a note that this really isn’t like professional music making. We make music for fun, we play shows where we don’t really get paid, we just like to have fun. We have sold CDs before but nowadays we usually pass them out for free. I don’t know if that will help my issue?
 
DatGangstaStuff said:
… I will confess these sins, but what else? Should I give the money that I would owe for these programs to the poor or something to make restitution? Someone help me.
Click to expand...
I think the priest you confess to can answer all of these questions better than any of us!

Peace.
 
Defnitely confess and purchase the software…
It doesn’t matter HOW you plan on using it (for profit or not)… someone worked hard to write that code… and deserves to be paid for their efforts…
 
In my opinion, I don’t think you need to be concerned about using files produced with the program before, as long as you purchase it now. (and go to Reconciliation of course). After all, tossing out the old files will hardly help the publisher.

The situation with your friend is more difficult. Obviously you aren’t responsible for his actions, nor is there anything intrinsically wrong with the files produced by the program. But if you are sure that he has not purchased the software I would be uncomfortable distributing things he produced with it.
 
I think I’m going to talk this over with my parents and my priest… I’ll probably end up deleting the programs off my computer and buying them for my friend in essence. He won’t use them, but it’ll be like I bought him the programs as a gift in essence so he can continue to produce (he is our main producer) and I can feel okay about distributing what he produces cuz the software people will have been compensated. Thanks for your help everyone, I really appreciate it!
 
Okay… I talked to my dad- he’s really smart. He advised me to get rid of all the illegal stuff on my computers, which I did… I cannot control what my friend does, and he said he didn’t think it was a sin for me to hang out and record with his programs, even if they aren’t “legal”- its my friend’s issue- not mine. You gotta remember that this stuff is not for turning a profit- its all pretty much for fun… I can’t control what my friend does. Only what I do. Maybe I can convince him to buy the legal stuff but until then I’ll keep recording with him. I’ll have to keep discerning about this issue- at least I know I’m not commiting a mortal sin, as far as I can discern.
 
Good for you, you’re making an excellent decision. It’s no good using stolen software that upsets your conscience.

I faced a similar problem – a friend installed my computer and put a very expensive program on for me, I didn’t realize it was illegal. Then my little girl deleted it, and when I asked for his help fixing it he loaned me the disc, but I realized it was illegal and couldn’t use it. I found a cheaper version, which I have now.
It was really hard to give it back to him and say no thanks, I can’t use this. I gave him a loaf of banana bread to help soften the blow. Don’t know why I felt uncomfortable but I’m glad I did it.
 
So you guys think my dad gave me good advice then? Sorry to keep this thread going so long- I’m just trying to do the right thing with this… I’ll definitely ask my confessor too- I do appreciate you guys’ opinions though! BTW, I’m feeling a lot better about this now (Its nothing to lose sleep over since I can correct it so easily)
 
  1. Buy the software.
  2. Go to confession and ask for forgiveness for you sin.
  3. Never steal again.
  4. Encourage those around you to do the same.
 
Okay, right, if I’m gonna record on my computer I’ll NOT use pirated software obviously- but I can go to my friend’s house and record on his computer even if I’m pretty sure his is pirated right? Cuz I can’t control what he does, and its eventually his problem at the end of the day- not mine.
 
If you are aware of someone else’s sin, you should try to get them to do the right thing and not encourage it.

So in the case you mentioned above, I would stop using it in your friend’s home until assured that his copy is legal.
 
I wish it were as simple as that… He won’t ever get the “Legal copy”, and why should he? Its just a bunch of jerks that are charging through the roof prices for their lame *** software. If I weren’t afraid of mortal sin I wouldn’t care one bit about this. I honestly don’t know why its such a big deal… Looks like I’ll just have to buy a legal copy for my friend. This sucks. My conscience pisses me off.
 
The Catholic Church should at least pay me so I have the money to do the right thing. Ha.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top