ethical dilema...

[RamboPreacher]

Okay, For Christmas and my Birthday, I bought myself a Zune. all other MP3 players I have ever had were never very large, so hadn't done this before, but I am now ripping my CD's.

While I don't have ANY issue with doing this, whatsoever, my challenge is when I began to go through my CD library...

I am no collector of CD's. So please forgive me if this doesn't sound like much for those musical connoisseurs out there. I have about 120 or so CD's. Well, actually only about 85 or so, but that's where the issue comes in.

I know these CD's I bought them over the course of the last few decades. they are mine. But, as I have them stacked up here ready to be ripped on my computer and added to my e-library to put on my Zune, I find that about 1/3rd of them are missing the CD out of the cases!

So while it may not be an issue for some to download music, even music they never intend to purchase, I have always (and still do) stand against that kind of theft. no matter the justification of the "big business", or they can afford it, stuff. I have never done it.

would this be a case of an exception? what say ye?

to reiterate: I have about 120 CD's in my collection. of those, upwards of about 40 or so are missing the CD's from their cases. Do YOU think it would be inappropriate or illegal to download those albums? why or why not?

I don't need any justification or excuses. I have personally chosen to not download them for my own reasons (I am not here to say that someone is a "sinner" if they choose to do this in this situation, or that they are more holy if they do not - this was a personal choice). but it did bring the question up in my mind how others might respond.

[DeWayneTN]

Interesting question. I know what the record companies would say. Some of them feel like you can't even load a CD onto your computer or let a friend listen. It's confusing because some of it gets a little extreme.

[Shellie]

Yes, it would be wrong in this case as well. It's not the record company's responsiblity to give you another copy for free because you lost your first copy.

You asked.

[RamboPreacher]

Yes, it would be wrong in this case as well. It's not the record company's responsiblity to give you another copy for free because you lost your first copy.

You asked.

no qualms by me - this was my paradigm and why I chose what I did.

[free]

If a person is hungry does it make it okay to steal a loaf of bread? I agree with Shellie on this one...You lost it so buy another one.

[DeWayneTN]

If a person is hungry does it make it okay to steal a loaf of bread?

Under whose presidency?

[RamboPreacher]

If a person is hungry does it make it okay to steal a loaf of bread?

Under whose presidency?

AND is that president wearing skullcandy?

[beckrl]

Some of the cd's I have has a copy write one can't ripped or copy But there are downloadabe music that one pay's for and a percent go to the right's holder. That good for me.

[mavislb]

Along this same line. I am a Girl Scout leader. My co-leader burns a lot of dvd's (netflix, rental, etc.). When we have an over-nighter or such we bring movies for the girls to watch. The other leader has always brought a lot of her pirated copies. She sees absolutely nothing wrong with it. I suppose it is too late to stop it now since it's been done several times. Any suggestions? I feel it's a bad example for the girls (all high school age).

[Pastor Gary]

I am no lawyer, and I don't like pirated stuff; but looking at it from all angles, what the consumer wants when they purchase a CD or DVD is access to the intellectual property (song, movie, etc.) represented.

It's not the disc, the CD that has value to the end user: it is the ability to view/hear the art contained on it. If one pays for the privilege of seeing/hearing that art, how is the copyright owner damaged by downloading a replacement for a lost/damaged copy that has been purchased?

Just trying to play devil's advocate...

[Dr. Ron]

I have a dog in this fight.....so I will chime in here a little.

If you buy a new program for your computer....or update it, it is my understanding that it is illegal and unethical to copy that or loan it to another. You can, however, transfer it from one computer to another for your use.

Same applies to music. No one minds if you down load what you buy into another medium....unless you do it for re-sale. That is the issue.

I know people who used to rent a movie for a buck, take it home and copy it and then have it in their library. That was theft.

There were people for years, who would buy an album (you know the real kind...331/3) and copy it to cassette and sell it.

Why do you think video cameras and things that record music are not allowed in concerts.

My son makes his living from "intellectual properties". The government stays about 20 years behind the needs of these people.

If you are using it for your own benefit, that is what you bought it for.....
But don't download it into all your friends ipods.....or whatever there is out there now.

[bibleguy]

I don't know how this all works exactly, but the guy at GameStop told me that when you purchase a video game for $50 or so, you are actually purchasing the LICENSE. If the disc gets lost or damaged (according to this guy) for a nominal fee ($5?) you can get a replacement. You just need to have a receipt or something.

Like with software, you can usually load it onto multiple computers, so long as only one is actually in use at a time.

With music, it may be similar.

[Dr. Ron]

If it is downloaded it may be the same.....for cds .....tough .....you are on your own....too easy to bring in an empty sleve.

[pastorables]

I don't need any justification or excuses. I have personally chosen to not download them for my own reasons

How is it a dilemma if you have made up your mind not to download them?

pa

[RamboPreacher]

I don't need any justification or excuses. I have personally chosen to not download them for my own reasons

How is it a dilemma if you have made up your mind not to download them?

pa

instead of plucking something out of it's context? here is the textual context, with highlighted words to draw attention to intent...

to reiterate: I have about 120 CD's in my collection. of those, upwards of about 40 or so are missing the CD's from their cases. Do YOU think it would be inappropriate or illegal to download those albums? why or why not?

I don't need any justification or excuses. I have personally chosen to not download them for my own reasons (I am not here to say that someone is a "sinner" if they choose to do this in this situation, or that they are more holy if they do not - this was a personal choice). but it did bring the question up in my mind how others might respond.

The dilemma was a question, for discussion. So what would YOU do? and in case it was missed. this was also NOT about judging others actions (especially, according to your values) in this real life situation, only wondering what others might or might not do.