Ethical question about filesharing

[Heisenberg]

My cable company doesn't carry UPN. There are some shows on that network that I'd really like to watch. Is it ethical (not necessarily legal) for me to download those shows to see them? I have no intention of selling them or anything like that - it would just be for my personal use. I don't see a problem with it since a) I pay for my cable and the network is just not available b) it's perfectly legal for me to record the shows on something like TiVO or VHS and save them c) they aren't offered for sale anywhere - I'm not really taking any money away from anybody. What I'm really interested in here is how people who view sharing music as stealing and unethical look at something like this.

 

[axelfox]

sound a bit similar to Canada and DirecTV...

 

[ScottyB]

I would say as long as you watch the commercials it is ethical. Normally I wouldn't say you should have to watch the commercials but since you aren't getting the channel and are watching them without permission you shoud "support" the channel by watching the commercials.

 

[Maetryx]

I don't like the "watch the commercials" argument, very much. It's an interesting perspective. Because if you HAD taped or TIVO'ed the show, you wouldn't be obligated to watch the commercials.

Hmmmmmm. But then you wouldn't have paid your cable company who in turn paid the network.

Okay. I do like the "watch the commercials" argument after all.

 

[Tripleshot]

Now this is a thought provoking thread. I think you are fine to download to view whatever you like as long as it is for your own personal use and not for sale. And that given, Why wouldn't the same hold true for internet radio, or even radio airwaves? That has a moral and ethical question that can go both directions. someone gets hurt,(the Artists) by not getting paid royalties for the extra usage. But, the factis, every artist fights for "airtime" on the radio to generate sales. That said, if the artist is willing to give it away to the "airwaves", what moral justification is there for the RIAA attack?

Very interesting. Give a politician enough time, and he'll tax it!

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: Maetryx
I don't like the "watch the commercials" argument, very much. It's an interesting perspective. Because if you HAD taped or TIVO'ed the show, you wouldn't be obligated to watch the commercials.

Hmmmmmm. But then you wouldn't have paid your cable company who in turn paid the network.

Okay. I do like the "watch the commercials" argument after all.

Yeah, the commercials were a sticking point when I was thinking about this earlier. If I tape or TiVO the show, I can just edit out the commercials. What if I watch the commericals the first time through the show? After that, I don't see any problem with editing them out. I would gladly do that just to be able to see the show.