# For those who consider 'pirating' theft, would you 'pirate' a disagreeable work?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-consider-pirating-theft-would-you-pirate-a-disagreeable-work/599715>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [October 15, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-consider-pirating-theft-would-you-pirate-a-disagreeable-work/599715 "2011-10-15T04:37:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 40

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-consider-pirating-theft-would-you-pirate-a-disagreeable-work/599715/40 "2011-10-16T02:06:14Z")

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> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#):
>
> Well a DVD is a physical item. Inventory the store no longer has. Where as downloading is making a new copy. Therefore different.
> 
> What is being “stolen” is the legal monopoly on making copies, not store inventory. If infringing on a legal monopoly on production is theft. I don’t see why infringing on legal right of way isn’t theft.
> 
> I’m not is saying online piracy isn’t wrong, or is legal.

The legal monopoly isn’t being stolen, it is maintained. Jaywalking does not create a new right of way or transfer one either. What’s being done is taking property that belongs to someone else.

I’m no fan of the way intellectual property is defined, or the public enforcement of property rights for owners who rely on the honor system. But that doesn’t change the situation any more than stealing a DVD from a store and shouting “DVDs belong to the people”.

If you think online piracy is wrong, how is different than what’s wrong with theft?

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