Ethical Theft ?

1 In 2002, 31% of consumers admitted stealing merchandise an average of eleven times per week (Levin 57). More disturbing, a survey of American adults revealed that 88% see nothing wrong with stealing (Levin 49). Although these respondents may be surprised to learn they answered this way, by endorsing online file-sharing, they inadvertently condoned theft. America’s continued use of music-downloading programs suggests the nation’s general acceptance of illegal file-swapping. A growing majority of Americans depend on the Internet for free music files to avoid paying record companies.While the majority of America justifies illegal file-sharing, reasons to endorse online piracy prove feeble in light of unwavering ethical principles. In a society that widely accepts online piracy, I found it relatively easy to silence my conscience and bend my ethical standards in order to acquire free music. Actually, I am not even positive my conscience required quieting, nor my ethical standards bending; I cannot recall a time I ever considered downloading music morally wrong. For years, I downloaded countless songs, burned an incalculable number of CDs, and stole from hundreds of recording artists without the slightest hesitation. Perhaps my subconscious used the undeniable wealth of musicians, along with the weightlessness of my own pocket-book, to justify my crimes; perhaps the approval of my parents and peers contributed to my dormant conscience; perhaps the unlikelihood of getting caught played a role in my disregard for the law. Whatever the reasons, I, along with so many other Americans, found myself stealing music routinely—unconcerned with the laws against downloading, the musicians I was ripping off, or the ethical principles I was ignoring. Despite its illegality, free music downloading has become increasingly popular throughout the United States. An article in the CQ Researcher claims that “computer users [in America] illegally download more than 2.6 billion copyrighted files every month” (Greenblatt par.8). The music industry has reason to be concerned—online file-sharing could diminish its market. More and more, consumers rely on the World Wide Web, which “has become an important platform of data exchange because it facilitates nearly free distribution [of music] with little difficulty” (Chiou 162). The Internet’s vastness makes regulation practically Ethical Theft? NICOLE HENDERSON