Is "downloading" music a sin?

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Unsure16

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If a friend of mine buys a CD for herself and I also put the music onto my iPod, would this constitute a sin?
 
I guess I should add: It does seem rather obvious that it is a sin, however, it is so popular. What I mean to ask is, is it mortal or venial. If I have such musci, should I delete it, or keep it and not do it again?
 
I don’t know. Don’t know why no one’s answered either. I felt very uneasy in high school when everyone was doing this. Now when I lend someone a CD if they mention that they intend to copy it I ask them not to (well it doesn’t come up often), don’t copy others’ music, but still have some CDs I burned a long time ago… Bump.
 
I don’t really have an answer, but I can assure you that it is not mortal sin. For a sin to be mortal there must be grave matter, full consent of the will, and full knowledge. I do not see how making illegal copies of music could ever constitute grave matter.
 
twf said:
I don’t really have an answer, but I can assure you that it is not mortal sin. For a sin to be mortal there must be grave matter, full consent of the will, and full knowledge. I do not see how making illegal copies of music could ever constitute grave matter.
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Because it steals profit from the artist?
 
Unsure16 said:
If a friend of mine buys a CD for herself and I also put the music onto my iPod, would this constitute a sin?
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OK, I am not a lawyer, but I am a tech engineer who has had, in the past, the responsibility to ensure companies were not liable to Software Business Alliance and music interests lawsuits. I have been at it for over 20 years. I am not a priest (I’m not even male). I can only tell you basically what I know as applicable to US law, and what standards I set when I do compliance checks.

IF your friend bought the CD or buys music through iTunes or through a MP3 or other emusic site, she is entitled to make herself a “backup” copy, in case something happens to her original CD. If she uses **her **own iPod as the medium to preserve the copy, then she’s fine as far as the law goes.

If she has the agreement with iTunes under the latest version, where she can do whatever with her music, then everything she purchases with iTunes is hers to use as she sees fit, as long as she does not violate any other agreement with Apple. There are some sites similar to this run by other companies and by bands themselves, where they want people to download as well as share, and pay whatever they think is fair. Then, she can also pretty much do as she likes with whatever she downloads.

SO- If disobeying civil authority in a just law is your situation (and intellectual property is usually just law), then you might have a sin, if you knew what the law was when you downloaded. Did you? If not, then no. If yes, then is it a mortal or venial sin? A mortal sin involves grave matter, free consent of the will and time to deliberate about the matter before doing it. A CD is worth maybe $7.99- $20, so it isn’t as if you robbed a bank. Even stealing requires two parameters: The value of the object taken and the value to the person from whom you steal. One electronic song is worth between 50 cents and $2. Is the artist who performed it a big rock star with a mansion, etc., or is it some poor person just starting out who really needs the money? See why you need a priest to sort it out?

IN MY OPINION, and that is based on something other than just my spouting off, at this point, you have not comitted a sin. The next time you are tempted to do it, however, you will know better.
 
Again, this is a case of the ethics surrounding intellectual property rights which can be addressed most competently by a lawyer specializing in this area. Do not use this forum for discussion of subjects clearly outside the competence of the users. Contact your state bar association for a recommendation of attorneys in your area to comment on this and similar topics.

Matthew
 
FYI, when you purchase music from iTunes it allows you to make, I think, 7 copies of the music onto a CD (not counting your iPod). After that, iTunes won’t let you burn anymore.

On the topic of whether or not it is a sin, unless its allowed for so many times like I said above, I personally consider it stealing from the artist but I would suggest you talk to your priest about it.:confused:
 
basic sin, you are stealing.
you won’t get kicked out of heaven, but heaven is not smiling down on you. it’s like asking for a water cup in a fastfood place and then stealing soda when no one is looking. :eek:
 
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