I have a two-part question about the morality of downloading music from the internet without paying for it. First of all, is this stealing? I believe it is, but I don’t believe that the music industry and artists are being as adversely affected as they claim. To quote an article I read: “They aren’t exactly panhandling in the street for pennies”. I’m not using this as a justification for theft, I’m just saying that it doesn’t realy seem to be hurting anyone.
Secondly, how much difference does it make if the artist in question is dead? Is it still stealing if I download a Louis Armstrong hit? How about Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony? Who exactly would I be stealing from - the families and heirs?
Incidentally, how many of you believe it’s stealing but still do it?