(April 13, 2015 at 5:52 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: It depends, of course.
I buy all of the software I use (everything that isn't freeware, that is). I don't download music.
Any video that I download is limited to productions that I'm entitled to watch (i.e. I don't see a moral issue with downloading episodes of "Game of Thrones", because I pay for a subscription to HBO). It's legal to use a VCR / DVD or other recording device to time/place/format shift a video recording for personal use. If it's legal for me to do so, and it's legal for me to possess and use a recording, then I see no problem with downloading something I'm already legally entitled to view (and record, should I feel like it).
The media producers may disagree, but they can fuck themselves.
Most of the services have that option built in to the higher tier packages.
As for me, I paid for every song, video and software package I have in my possession. I have over 12,600 songs (been collecting since the first CDs hit the stores) and over 1000 DVD/Blu-ray (same here, been collecting since they hit the streets) along with with Office after Office after Office. (I despise Microsoft, but am forced due to my working environment).
If you do not own it or are not licensed to use it, then you are stealing. No ands, ifs, or buts about it. There is absolutely no difference between downloading unauthorized media, getting a copy (and usually bad) at your local flea-market or shoplifting. If you do not own it or are not licensed to use it, then you are stealing.
Just MHO.
You make people miserable and there's nothing they can do about it, just like god.
-- Homer Simpson
God has no place within these walls, just as facts have no place within organized religion.
-- Superintendent Chalmers
Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. There are some things we don't want to know. Important things.
-- Ned Flanders
Once something's been approved by the government, it's no longer immoral.
-- The Rev Lovejoy
-- Homer Simpson
God has no place within these walls, just as facts have no place within organized religion.
-- Superintendent Chalmers
Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends. There are some things we don't want to know. Important things.
-- Ned Flanders
Once something's been approved by the government, it's no longer immoral.
-- The Rev Lovejoy
