Title: The Moral Standing of Patronizing Pirated CDs as opposed to Original CDs

I. Topic

Piracy is defined as the illegal copying of copyrighted materials (movies, music or software) from various
sources (e.g. Internet, ripped CDs).

The norm regarding piracy is that it is illegal, and one has a moral obligation to respect all laws, and in fact
many organizations around the world are using legal measures in order to minimize and hopefully stop
online piracy. This is also evident in our country.

But the truth is, a huge percentage of the population go purchase pirated CDs of movies rather than watch
them in a theater because they are affordable and more readily available.

II. Common Idea

The general idea in regards to movie piracy is that it is immoral, and it is negatively affecting the actors,
directors, and producers who worked hard for the production of the movies being pirated.

One of the well-known bases of piracy being immoral is the property argument, in which the act of piracy
means that you are depriving the original owner of its property. The deprivation being stated is the money
that is supposed to be garnered by the moviemakers is going to the pirates of these movies they made.

Another common argument is the economical argument, in which the act of piracy will lead to no further
development. For example, due to the frequency of movie piracy, the moviemakers decide to stop producing
new movies until piracy is totally stopped.

Piracy is also viewed as a form of plagiarism, as it is the act of illegally copying a movie for self-profit.

III. Critic to the Common Idea

With piracy still occurring, the profits of the moviemakers and actors are still in the millions.

The act of piracy does not deprive the original owner of its property. Piracy is the copying of the property,
not stealing it. Taking away ones property a harm to the owner due to the denial to the property, while
copying does not deny the owner of the property, thus not pose a harm to the owner.

The economical argument fails to consider that the public chooses to patronize pirated goods because they
are the only available form of the property at the time. This is especially observed in movies, where the
purchase of pirated movies or TV shows is more preferred since there are no original copies present and
pirated CDs are the only way of watching these movies and shows.

The people who actually create the movies and music want their content to be shared, only the large
corporations behind it are too afraid to move on. They even pay politicians to support their cause by voting
for or against laws so that legislation is made with their interests in mind. Is that moral?

IV. Proposal

Addressing the issue of availability of original copies by the moviemaking companies that they are to be
made available at an earlier time and at a reasonable price.

Make movies and TV shows available online, even classic movies for more sharing opportunities.