Pirated software: confession?

[Magnum_V8]

I downloaded a fairly expensive Microsoft program from a torrent file. I think that at times I had an inclination that it was stealing, but I never really gave it a thought, and didn’t bother searching for official church teaching.

Well, tonight, browsing through the United States Catechism for Adults, it mentioned something about pirated software breaking the seventh commandment.

As soon as I read it, I went straight to the computer and uninstalled the program. I also deleted the shareware programs I had installed, and plan on deleting any music files that I downloaded.

Since I made an immediate act to correct the situation, do I need to confess this? Remember, I did have an inclination that it was stealing, but not because of Church teaching; rather, because its obviously been a story in the news. But, as we know, not everything considered legal or illegal secularly is automatically legal or illegal ecclesiastically.

And of course, I have received the Eucharist since downloading the material.

Also, bootlegged DVD movies fall into this as well, correct?

 

[Pax]

Yes, it is a form of stealing and it should be confessed. The fact that you have come to the conclusion that you should remove the software is a sign that your heart is in the right place. You have had a prompting of grace, and have responded to it.

 

[Magnum_V8]

Pax,

Thanks for the reply.

Another question though. I heard Fr. John Corapi once say that stealing 5 dollars from a rich person is not the same sin as stealing 5 dollars from a poor person…or something to that effect.

While each is still a sin, would one be mortal and the other venial?

And how does that apply in stealing a software program from a multi-billion dollar company? I mean, is this something that can keep me from receiving the Eucharist worthily?

Thanks again.

 

[Pax]

Don’t know about that one for sure, but I would guess that it is the less serious variety of theft. Nevertheless, confession is the ticket. I had done the same thing many years ago, and found that confessing it was simply the wisest course of action.