Illegal software? but

[LawrenceRomanov]

This day, a friend of mine came to my house and stay for a lunch. He took out his laptop (with an illegal microsoft windows xp on it) and ask me whether i have a game for him to borrow. I lend him a legal and original pc game to him. Then, he asked me to turn on his laptop and install the game on his laptop (in other words, he ask me to install my original game in his illegal-software pc). I feel very guilty when i help him install the game, because i know i am operating (using) illegal software if i install the game on his laptop (i need to “use” his illegal windows xp in order to do the game installation).

my questions are:

is that a grave matter?
did i do mortal sin?

note: actually, I HATE illegal softwares. in my own computers, there is NO illegal software. the reason i ask you this because i am oftenly asked by my friend to help them do something in their computer (help them), but their software are also oftenly illegal copy (pirated). the reason i can’t reject them because i am afraid to lost friend.

thanks
Kenneth

 

[CWBetts]

Software piracy is a form of theft, making it a grave matter. You have full knowledge. The deliberite consent is the criteria I am sticking on. Help ayone?

 

[Eucharisted]

Feelings have nothing to do with the will; whether or not you hate something dose not take away or add to what you’ve done or you’ve failed to do. The door of the heart is the will; there is no other.

I believe this would be a case of stealing from the game company, and from Microsoft, so I think it would constitute a grave sin, given the grave matter (stealing), total consent, and full knowledge.

The next time a freind asks you to do something illegal, say no. Breaking friendship with God just to keep a friendship with someone who wants to use you for their pleasure - in this case, getting a game - is not healthy to the soul. If they leave you because you said no, you’ll know they weren’t a frend after all but just an abuser. If they don’t leave, tell them to stop asking you to do illegal stuff or cooperate in illegal activity. If they said something isn’t illegal but you know it is, disagree with them and don’t do what they want. Also, remember the beatitude “blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” Those who suffer instead of cooperating with evil battle the evil; such is the power of the Cross.

Downloaidng roms or music from the Internet is illegal activiity, as is downloading manga, comics, or other products which would cost money to purchase. It sounds “free” and “safe” - like “free manga” or “free download” or “safesend” - but it’s neither free nor safe; it’s stealing and there is always the potenital of viruses and maleware in files and downloads. You could say, “It’s just a potential, not an actual virus or maleware, so I won’t get anything” but potential means there is a huge chance you’ll catch something, and if you want to take that chance, well, you’ll be reaping what you sow. A lot of people on the Internet don’t care, though, because they believe they’re somehow “invulnerable”. Such is the fruit of pride.