What does the Bible say about software piracy? Part 1
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In today’s article I want to see whether the Bible says anything at all about software piracy, it’s effect on Church/Christian and what we should do about it?
Today the Computer has become a very essential equipment in every house hold and any organization. Therefore people somehow invest on a PC even if it is difficult to afford for a one. In Sri Lanka where I live at this time of writing a brand new PC with the least configuration costs a minimum amount of US $700.
Now a Computer is useless unless you have software (or programmes) to run in it. You need an Operating System like Windows Vista or Mac OS X to make it work. Here custom built Desktops are much popular but they are rarely sold with Windows preinstalled. So the buyer has only 3 choices.
1. To buy a genuine copy of the Windows Operating System and install it in his new computer
In my country Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium costs approximately US $ 300. Microsoft Office costs US $ 300 per copy.
2. Settle for an open source Operating System like Ubuntu
Many Computer users find that Linux and it’s flavors like this one are not user friendly.
3. To purchase a pirated copy of the Windows Operating System from the black market for US $ 2 and install in the new PC.
There are copy right laws in my country which prevents sales and custody of pirated software. But I know that most Computer users including Christians/Christian organizations take this lightly and most likely to settle for the 3rd option.
Does the Bible forbid software piracy?
It’s is important to know why software piracy is a crime before answering the above question.
Software piracy is the unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted software. This can be done by copying, downloading, sharing, selling, or installing multiple copies onto personal or work computers. When you purchase software, you are actually purchasing a license to use it, not the actual software. The license is what tells you how many times you can install the software, therefore it’s important to read and understand it. If you make more copies of the software than the license permits, you are pirating and thus breaking the law. Whether you are casually making a few copies for friends, loaning CDs, downloading or distributing pirated software from the Internet, or buying a single software program and then installing it on multiple computers, you are committing copyright infringement—this is software piracy. (BSA)
If I want to boil down this definition to a single word, software piracy means “Stealing”.
Let’s say I am a programmer. I have worked hard, studied hard, spent a lot of money to learn programming and to become who I am. Then I develop a useful software make copies of it and sell it in the market. This is how I am going to earn. Now a customer who bought my software makes copies of it and distributes it free of charge or sells it at a lesser price. What would happen to me. I loose my income! You are stealing my money, knowledge and labor. You become a Christian thief! And I am going to talk about it in details on part 2 of this article.
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Well is that a sin if I upgrade from 32 bit to 64bit Windows Vista Home Premium with the same key?
Hi Mait,
I have never heard it’s possible to upgrade from 32bit edition of Windows Vista Home Premium to 64bit version with the same key.
However assuming that you are serious about your question it’s not a sin provided that you are using a legitimate copy for upgrading and using the same key to upgrade doesn’t violate the terms of service as outlined by Microsoft.
It will not be a sin since you are using the same product, just a different software architecture. Microsoft does not charge you extra when you decide to buy an 64bit version of windows instead of an 32bit version.
What about the poor people? Don’t they have the God given right to enjoy life like the rich people?
Bishop,
Haven’t you ever heard of open source software and freeware….???
Such nonsense… I could find many passages and quotes to build a case in favour of this. Your argument is flawed as things aren’t this simple. There are a great many grey areas. As you know the bible and the commandments weren’t written with the internet or digital piracy in mind. The real thieves here are the big fat cats living in sin with more money then they could ever spend whilst people live on the streets starving. That’s the real crime here. As always the bible is open to interoperation.
As usual the rich get rich and the poor get poorer.
You can also save a lot of money by buying older operating systems and programs. I’m operating on Office 2003 quite happily. Ebay is a good source if used with care. Make sure products come with Product ID.
Thank you for sharing PeterS. Appreciate your genuine interest in the subject.
Software piracy is not stealing but it is a sin if your country’s laws forbids software piracy.
Romans 13: 1-2
(1) Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
(2) Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
If you live in a country that does not forbid software piracy then you are lucky, but if you are like most of us living in a country where software piracy is illegal that it is a sin (wrong). God is clear on this subject.
To all of you who think the Bible is open for interpretation or that if your country’s laws don’t expressly forbid piracy, it isn’t wrong, YOU ARE MISTAKEN. There are international laws covering said crimes, therefore, it is illegal in your country.
Taking something without paying for it or to deprive someone their due, is stealing. Stealing is a sin. It doesn’t matter if it’s the “evil” corporations that are getting richer, as you put it, it’s the intentions of your heart. You can justify it in your own mind, but it doesn’t make it right.
I agree with Juan’s Romans 13 reference, but I don’t agree with the assessment that “if there isn’t a law forbidding it, it isn’t a sin”. There is no law anywhere that makes it illegal to look at a woman and lust, but Jesus says you have already committed adultery with her in your heart (which is a sin).
My point is simply this, if you didn’t buy it and it wasn’t a free gift, you are stealing and therefore sinning. Especially don’t do it for a church, because that is definitely not honoring to God, nor do I believe that He would bless something built on an illegal or sinful foundation. Just my opinion.
Man you nailed it!!! Thank you brother
Personally, software piracy has been an issue for me as xtian. What I was led to start doing was that I use trial versions of windows and needed software. When it expires, I format my system and simply re install the same trial versions. The bible typically warns that “we should not move our neighbors landmark” Deuteronomy 19:14.
I find Linux to be fantastic and really recommend programs like BibleTime or Xiphos for bible study on it. Linux is being used by companies like Google and Amazon also. I have used Linux for years. I like its community ethos and as a Christian, my conscience is clear.
It also has other brilliant alternatives for Windows programs such as The Word, eSword or BPbible. (We don’t need to pirate MS-Word since we have the Linux alternative LibreOffice).