[Phoenix-D]

Originally posted by JayBdey:
Ah but there is where your argument is flawed.

Stealing would require me to take something, thus depriving the owner of use of the original. If I steal a car the car is gone, the owner no longer has it. But If I download some software, someone who payed for it doesn't loose their ability to use it. I have only made a copy. One more copy exists, at no cost to the maker (admittedly, at no profit either)

I could steal a painting, or I could take a picture of the painting. The painting is still there, but I also have use of it with my copy of it.

It is wrong, but it is not stealing.