Within the last few years, the issue of music and movie piracy has taken the national political stage. Organizations like the RIAA AND MPAA have taken some drastic measures to curb piracy, everything from [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. to [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. .

Those who agree with the RIAA and MPAA cite not only the law, but also morality and ethics in their support. Theft is, in most cases, considered to be an immoral act, and it is certainly illegal to ignore copyright law.

Those who disagree with the RIAA and MPAA have many varied reasons, but chief among them is the outrageous markup put on music. The profit margins in the music and film industry are notoriously high and it seems the market is clammering for a more reasonable alternative.

Where do you, members of a conservative-leaning forum, fall in this debate?

I download movies and music, but only those which I purchase. While I did use Napster many years ago, I decided that ignoring a law and gaining personally meant that I wasn't acting in a manner that could be considered civil disobediance. While I do agree that the behavior of the music and film industry should be addressed seriously, theft doesn't seem the right way to do it.

Music and movies are not a necessity of life... sure you need entertainment in life but it's not like bread, milk or air, you can take it/leave it, or substitute it for something else.

I believe the heart of the problem with piracy is not the guy/girl that is down and out and just has to have that new song by ludicrous for their collection, it's the people that steal thousands if not 10's of thousands games, music, videos, software... whatever. It's not a little problem... it's a huge problem and it's no different then going to Wal-Mart and stealing the same merchandise off the shelf. It's against the law.

Is the film, music, software corporations to blame? No.. not at all, because they are providing a product they own to the consumer. They are doing us a favor by providing entertainment, and products that we enjoy using. Technology has made it convenient for people to take advantage of their generosity.

Pirates are neato.......

Piracy should not be tolerated. As a musician, I think it is completely wrong. Musicians make little off each CD sale unless they are doing their own distribution. I don't know about the movie industry, as I have never been involved in that.

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I personally dont understand why people pay $$$ for most of the c/r/a/p that is available. Stealing it is wrong. Let the market determine what the stuff is worth.
I hope most people finally wake up and realize that paying $$$ for a song or a movie is a rip off and stop doing it. The most worthless people in our society (discounting drug dealers and professional criminals etc) are entertainers.

Doubt the history books report the country of china as being the domicile of most pirates.