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When evaluating the question of whether or not music piracy is ethical, all you need to do is ask yourself "Is stealing a CD from the store ethical?". In most societies the answer to this question would be no because in many cultures stealing is not only wrong, it's a crime. Downloading music without an artist's permission equates to stealing.

Many people try to justify and rationalize the practice of music piracy, but downloading songs illegally is no different than pocketing a CD at the local music store, except the technique used to steal it.

We teach our children it's wrong to steal candy from the corner store, copy someone else's homework, or take that CD from a store. Despite the fact that society is for the most part agreeable that stealing is immoral, many people don't seem to understand the ethical issues connected with downloading music without an artist's consent.

Supporters of the illegal download often argue taking songs off the Internet is the same as burning a copy of a CD for a friend, but it's not comparable. A reason its different is because of the mass audience that a CD can be shared with over the Internet.

Musicians do not lose out when you purchase an album and make a copy for a friend, but with file sharing, you can essentially give the same CD to millions of people. No one pays for it and the artist and/or copyright owner is not compensated.

It is understandable how illegal music downloading has become so attractive, as who wants to pay twenty bucks for something when they can get it for free? However, as attractive as it might be, it doesn't make it ethical. The biggest arguments I hear from those who advocate illegal downloads is that "artists make so much money anyway", and "that artist is making it about the money, not the music!"

It's one thing if an artist creates a website and chooses to release music for free download, typically in the hopes that someone will like and buy the CD or go to one of their shows, but what about artists who don't want their music downloaded?

Isn't it their right to maintain control over their intellectual property? Offering free downloads is a brilliant marketing tool for musicians, but the decision whether or not to utilize that tool should be made by the person(s) who own the songs, not Internet users who engage in downloading songs.

CDs are indeed overpriced, and though the artist may be rich and have more money that they could possibly spend, the bottom line is the music is still an asset they created and it belongs to them. If an artist has not given permission for their music to be available for download, then its theft, no matter how we try to rationalize it.

Is it easier to commit this crime with no conscience because one doesn't have to face their victim? Or is it because there no fear someone will physically see them commit the act? If the same crime was committed in a physical store, one would not steal with such a comfort level.

We live in a society of instant gratification and the simplicity of download makes it so quick and easy there is little time to think about it. People quickly move onto the next thing in their lives without truly reflecting on the consequences of those download(s).

Music piracy will continue to be an issue until those who steal music realize just because something can be retrieved illegally with ease doesn't make it ethical. Just because we "can" does it mean we "should"?

No, we shouldn't. Music piracy and unlawful music downloads is morally wrong.

Learn more about this author, Leigh Goessl.
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