Downloading is not stealing

published Nov 01, 2008, last modified Jun 26, 2013

Hint: if you get to keep the original, then you can't use the word "steal".

When someone downloads movies or music illegally, they make a copy, he argues. The original is still there, and legally speaking nothing is stolen. Scott concludes: “To use the infringement-as-stealing meme demonstrates something of a lack of respect for language and consequently a lack of respect for the people to whom you are speaking.”

Scott nails it. "Downloading is stealing" is just propaganda that spreads a self-serving lie.