Is "file-sharing" basically a nice way to say "stealing"?

As much as I like to share a few files I also do feel guilty because I personally think it is stealing.

 

Depends on what you share.
Open source is free stuff, unless you want support and you can pay for that. Otherwise: free.

 

No, it's a nice way of saying 'worldwide community of friends'

 

Music. Films.

That's a nice way of justifying it, I guess.
Maybe everybody has too many friends.

 

I believe in rewarding programmers for their hard work. But let it come from providing support for those programs (mostly business clients) and keep the files themselves free.

 

With music and films a lot of people would be willing to pay a reasonable subscription fee to the file host who in turn passes it on to the musicians.
But the record companies got greedy and denied users access to mp3's of their product.

Some artists are bypassing the music companies and posting music on their own web sites.

The technology has changed and the music companies can't get over the fact that there's simply not as much money for the middleman. The artist can go right to us and we to them.

 

I agree in that situation.

 

I share while I'm broke; buy when I have money. Most of the movies and comics I have downloaded I really want to buy someday; the companies can consider it a loan =P

By sharing, you are supporting the file, which makes people more likely to buy it (with movies particularly, but also less popular musicians; not so much with software or music)

My library lends out music, movies, and comic books -- which is the large bulk of my downloading.


I don't consider it stealing, I consider it disagreeing with greedy people, who consider it stealing.

 

GardenGuy...people can now pay a small subscription for a vast amount of music and films. But many choose not to take that option. What should be done about that? That is "file-sharing"...that is what I'm talking about. Is file-sharing stealing?

 

nah I wouldn't consider it stealing since nothing was lost

like if I stole the record companies only copy of a cd that they could make a billion copies of and then sell, that's stealing

but not making copies of shit

 

File sharing is a wonderful thing if say you need to access some information and you happen to live in a country where information is restricted and the mere viewing of an article or document is so forbidden it would get you a prison sentence. Anonymous downloading in that case would be one of the noblest benefits of fileshareing on the www.
downloading entertainment or software that is not public domain or open source is stealing, and is perhaps the most despicable use of file sharing. IMHO

ZW

 

That's a new on on me. I'll have to think about that.

 

I agree with you 100%

Edit: dispicable might be a tad too harsh, though

 

So basically you feel 'guilty' for participating in filesharing. You stole software and share it with other thieves.

You don't really feel guilty at all do you?

 

no, its not stealing. stealing is different

 

I tend to download music/films and then not share.

 

It's a nice way of saying; Fuck you music industry,I'm not paying THAT much for a sodding mp3 download!

I saw an e-Book the other day, can't remember what... the electronic version was £6 and the paperback was about £15, hardback £18.

Why then are mp3's still almost the same cost as a CD then?

Answer: because the record companies/iTunes are GREEDY BASTARDS!!!

 

I'm guessing you dl off public torrent sites. If you dl'd off private trackers you would be booted off because of your poor sharing ratio.

By sharing on private sites, you get to dl faster as there are more seeders than leechers. Thats if you can get an invite in the first place.

 

What's everyone use, I search for stuff on piratebay. Doesn't always come up with the goodies though.

 

Yeah, prolly a little harsh...it's just that I am a working (barely)musician, though it's not like I expect fileshareing to effect my bottom line any time in the near future,
It's just the principle of the thing, ya know...:beatnik: