File Sharing?

[Chad]

What do you all feel about file sharing? Both software and music? I personally easily believe sharing music is fine. I'm sure we can all agree that RIAA is extremely greedy without a doubt. However, you come to my house and ask to borrow a CD, go home an copy it - will you expect me to condemn you? Not from this side of the fence. Music is God's gift to all of us whether players or listeners. The way I personally look at it is that there is no labor involved in making music, say in comparison to creating software. Not to say that professional musicians do not work hard to learn and play the songs right but its nothing back breaking or weary on your body. I'm sure others may feel differently or the same. You get the general idea.

Downloading software is another question that I've been debating on. There is a lot of complaining about the high costs of software including Adobe, Microsoft to name the obvious - along with Macromedia. Gratefully, there are so many open source (free software to public) growing rapidly all over the internet. Even a practical clone of Microsoft Office (Open Office by Sun Inc). MS Office is a $500 software (off the top of my head). Open Office is completely free.

What does GOD have to say about such a debatable (people fighting for their privacy and right to 'share) and controversial (companies fighting against file sharing users) matter?

8th Commandment

Exodus 20:15
You shall not steal

Obey government laws. All countries differ or may be similar in their laws about copyrighted material.

Romans 13:1-7
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Not sure what you would do or what GOD would say? Ask GOD

James 1:5
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Informative & Useful Links:

International Copyright Laws
International Treaties

Open Source: What is it?
GNU

Free Software Site:

CNET
Source Forge

My Conclusion: Just about 100% sure it is wrong to download anything for free that is copyrighted. I have done it, felt convicted. Although I will honestly say that I don't feel necessarily wrong about music sharing at least. I need my music and due to file sharing capability (legal software like Morpheus which I paid for) I am getting into great Christian music and moving away from the secular music.

 

[imready4thelord]

If it is freely given to you is it stealing?

What if the person giving it to you steals it and you are unaware?

 

[Nigh]

There are laws against knowingly accepting stolen property, however, I know of no law against UNknowingly doing so.

If it is freely given to you, it is not stealing to accept it. It's merely a gift. It doesn't become problematic until you become aware of it's unlawful origins.

This being said, if found with stolen property, you will have to prove that you didn't know it was stolen during your trial. Yes, you can be arrested and put on trial. We are of course assuming that the property was stolen and proven to be so. You are therefor guilty of possesion, your only deffence is that you had no knowledge. Seems like a lot of trouble for so little. When it comes to music, it is pretty easy to spot if a CD is a copy or the original. To avoid problems, have only originals in your library. If you make (burn) copies of your originals to protect them from scratches, breaking, etc, then you should have an original for every copy. Then you can show that you paid for it, and may do to it what you want.

God bless,
Nigh

NOTICE: The oppinions herein are for entertainment puposes only. These are not the opinions of Talk Jesus or its memebers. It is not to be assumed that these are accurate understandings of the law, and the law may or may not differ in your state, country, or providence.

 

[Mike]

I think that if I paid for it , then anyone I want to allow to listen to it can . Before computers were made , this was no big deal . How could you have a dance party without sharing your music with everyone at the party ?

Copying music , and then selling it I think is wrong . But if copying was that evil , then why do they make C.D. Burners and software to do it ? If I buy a car , am I not allowed to allow others to ride in it just because it is only registered to me ?

Again . I only think selling copy material is over the line because the money belongs to the artist who made it . But then again , how many Christians sell the Gospel ? Jesus died and gave all things to us freely , so why do preachers insist on making millions off Jesus Christ ! Hummm? MikeT4G

 

[jiggyfly]

I think that if I paid for it , then anyone I want to allow to listen to it can . Before computers were made , this was no big deal . How could you have a dance party without sharing your music with everyone at the party ?
Copying music , and then selling it I think is wrong . But if copying was that evil , then why do they make C.D. Burners and software to do it ? If I buy a car , am I not allowed to allow others to ride in it just because it is only registered to me ?
Again . I only think selling copy material is over the line because the money belongs to the artist who made it . But then again , how many Christians sell the Gospel ? Jesus died and gave all things to us freely , so why do preachers insist on making millions off Jesus Christ ! Hummm? MikeT4G

But they usually alter it first brother Mike.LOL

 

[BecuzHeLives]

Hi guys,
My take on file sharing is that if you share music file. Less people will support the artist, and they don't have enough money to continue writing song. So the best way to support them is to buy the original CD. Especially Christian Music, we should support our brothers and sisters by buying original CD. About software, I'm pretty sure Bill Gates can live without 100 dollars. However, it's very tough to know it's right or wrong to dl software in my opinion.