What is the Islamic stance on Internet piracy?
I think it is similar to stealing, but not exactly, so the same rules may not apply here. The difference is that, in stealing, you move a property from its owner to yourself, but in internet piracy, you are copying something. In a sense, you are making a copy of something that belongs to someone else without the owner's consent. Also, you are not making a material gain, but a digital one, so that might not count. Because, no matter how much illegal downloading you do, you are not getting any wealthier in the sense of goods you have. On the other hand, you are being unjust toward another human and his/her rights.
So the question is, Can internet piracy be considered stealing or committing injustice? Is there any source talking about similar issues that we can relate to internet piracy?
