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My car was stolen, and it contained several dozen CDs, the loss of which wasn't covered by my insurance. Because this music was already paid for, would it be legal -- or ethical -- to download the songs for free from a music-sharing Web site?
That's a tough one. The law doesn't care why you need to replace your music, and it would dictate that you pay the modest per-song fees that reputable Web sites charge. As a publisher and defender of intellectual-property rights, I recommend this. However, I could see your making an ethical exception just this once, by using a free source for replacing your stolen music.
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I received a $5,000 bonus from my employer for recruiting a new hire, who is a relative of mine. Should I share some of my bonus with him, and if so, how much? I don't think he has an expectation of this and hasn't raised the issue with me.
It's very thoughtful of you to consider sharing some of your bonus, though it's not necessary -- your relative's reward was getting a new job through your referral. Half of the after-tax amount would be very generous; less would be fine, too. I'm sure it will be a pleasant surprise for your relative and one he will surely appreciate.
What do you think? Please leave your opinion in the reader comment box below.
POSTED BY: Jewel (August 22, 2007 03:53 AM)
I totally agree that if you already owned and paid for something you should be able to make one copy. Otherwize I am in big trouble. I buy CDs and then make a copy for my tape player. I also do it when I buy tapes. My thought is I paid for the right to hear this music.
Can someone make a copy and 'share it' with someone else? Absolutely not. They have not paid the musician for his or her work. I actually had a problem with a number of people that I know who thought because it was gospel music and the vocalist wanted us to be able to praise God that it was OK. Then one day out of the blue the pastor brought up the subject and the fact that you're a thief when you copy something to give to someone.
POSTED BY: Cole (August 23, 2007 09:12 PM)
It is perfectly ethical to replace the music. Granted, you cannot go to your local music store and steal CDs, but you are legally entitled to a backup copy of the songs you have already purchased. This is why we can legally copy our music to computers, mp3 players, and CDRs. This legal protection would probably only extend to you while you have the originals. You are really only allowed to make the backups while the originals are in your possession, but since yours were stolen, it would be ethical, although currently illegal under the current out-of-date copyright law, to obtain your backups after losing the original.
POSTED BY: Extefearady (January 05, 2008 10:53 AM)
You hit a sore point.
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