1. It is against the law

For centuries, civilized societies have granted artists, authors, and other creative people the right to own and control the original work they produce, be they paintings, poems, songs, or any other form of literary or artistic expression. These rights are protected by what is known as copyright.

In the United States, copyright protection is guaranteed under the Constitution as well as the Copyright Act. Recorded music is specifically protected by these laws, which means it is against the law to make unauthorized reproductions, distributions, or digital transmissions of copyrighted sound recordings.

"Congress shall have the power to... promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited time to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries..."
U.S. Constitution
Article 1, Section 8

The penalties for breaking these laws are stiff—particularly when digital recordings are involved.

2. Stealing betrays the creators

A lot of people who copy and distribute copyrighted works illegally try to rationalize their behavior by arguing that the people who make them are all rich anyway, and that the access to these works should be free.

To assert that these copyrighted works should be free is the same as saying they have no value—that they are worthless. They are not.

Creativity doesn't just happen. It's made, note by note, beat by beat, though by thought, line by line… by people who work hard to get it right.

For the copyright holders, the hard work requires not only a major emotional and intellectual commitment, but also long hours, intense concentration, and real financial risk. We like to talk about the imagination, soul, and courage involved in creative work. But it is also about career and financial well- being. It’s about putting food on the table and covering the rent. It’s about making enough money to pay for all that equipment and rehearsal time, about keeping yourself afloat as you strive to succeed in a highly competitive industry.

What gives these creative works value is not only that you like them, but also that you buy it. If you steal it, you’re not just stealing from a record company, production studio, or distributor. You’re stealing from the very artists and professionals you love and admire.

Most of us would never even consider stealing something of value from a neighbor’s house. Our conscience, our sense of right and wrong, keep us from doing it. Sure, we know there are criminal penalties, but the main reason we don’t steal is because we know it’s wrong.

3. Stealing stifles the careers of new creators of music, motion pictures, software, and books.

Another rationalization for stealing these copyrighted works is that illegal copying is a victimless crime that really doesn’t hurt anyone.

Tell that to the struggling young musicians in a garage band who can’t get signed because record sales are down.

Or tell it to the young singer-songwriter whose career dead-ends because people would rather download her music for free.

The cost of recording and promoting a major album or motion picture can easily top $1 million, and only one out of every ten ever turns a profit.

There’s no question that Internet exposure can be a great medium for new artists. For many up-and-coming bands, there’s no better way of getting noticed and establishing a following than creating a website and putting your stuff out there for the online world to hear. But there’s a difference between checking out a band that chooses to let people download its music for free and deciding for yourself that somebody’s new music should be spread all over the Internet.

Making and creating new material is an expensive undertaking. So is building a career. If people aren’t willing to pay for what they love, the companies will find it increasingly difficult to commit the kind of resources it takes to discover and develop new talent.

4. Stealing threatens the livelihood of the thousands of working people who are employed in the audio/video/software/digital books industry.

Songwriters, artists, actors, and authors whether established or up-and-coming, aren’t the only people hurt by illegal copying. For example, In the U.S. alone, the music industry employs some 50,000 people—and very few of them are rich rock stars.

Stealing also threatens the livelihoods of the thousands of technicians, plant workers, warehousemen, and others who are employed in the entertainment industry helping to create and deliver the creative works you love.