Question about copying CDs and copyright

[Roman_Army]

My brother recently copied a bunch of his CDs and gave them to me. He bought them, they are his property, so do you think that he can do what he wants with them? Or can I not take the CDs, because it would be violating copyright laws? If so, do you think it is a mortal or venial sin? I don’t see how it could be mortal, and at the most venial. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut everyone!

You should not take the CD’s, kindly give it back to him, say no thanks, and tell him kindly why. If he starts to complain about “oh I did this for nothing,” or something like that, you could offer to reimburse him for the cost of the blank CD’s. Tell him that you appreciate his generosity and thoughts of you. Then next time maybe he’ll think twice before distributing illegal copies.

Now, you have to keep in mind that it is not just the rich record producers and artists that deserve compensation. But, also there are ordinary hard working class people at the bottom of the corporate latter who depend on the profits to put food on the table for their families and themselves. If there are no profits from CD’s, then they’ll be laid off or get a pay cut or reduction in benefits, etc. This is especially the case in this recession. If I were you, either I’d sacrifice and listen to the songs on the radio with all those nice commercials :banghead:, or I’d purchase the songs legally on an online store or at a CD store. Maybe you cannot afford to buy them all, but you can buy at least your most favorite ones and then later on save up to buy more. Fortunately for me, I’m not much of a music junky, I don’t listen to music much, so a top 40 radio station is sufficient for me. Maybe when I find a job I’ll purchase some good Catholic music like gregorian chant or something. I kind of try to avoid supporting my old passion (gangsta rap and hip hop) because of the promotion of immorality.

 

[Hlafdige]

In most countries users pay copyright levies on computer printers, blank CDs, mobile phones, even paper… anything that can be used to reproduce media, whether or not it is ever used to reproduce anything that is under copyright. So it could be argued that the laws requiring these copyright levies in favour of the artists‘ associations essentially recognise, and legally regulate, uses like making a small quantity of CDs for a family member, even though such a use violates the letter of the copyright law. And morally it could be argued that in view of this form of legal recognition, it would be justifiable if done only rarely.

 

[Joe_5859]

In most countries users pay copyright levies on computer printers, blank CDs, mobile phones, even paper… anything that can be used to reproduce media, whether or not it is ever used to reproduce anything that is under copyright. So it could be argued that the laws requiring these copyright levies in favour of the artists‘ associations essentially recognise, and legally regulate, uses like making a small quantity of CDs for a family member, even though such a use violates the letter of the copyright law. And morally it could be argued that in view of this form of legal recognition, it would be justifiable if done only rarely.

I had a freind whose dad is a lawyer ask his dad about it and then tell me that it was legally acceptable to make a copy of a CD for a member of your immediate family. I couldn’t quote the law to you, so it could be wrong, but it bears looking into.