Though many hundreds of thousands, if not millions, do it—any reproduction of copyrighted material (printed or digital material, music, video, software, games, etc.) is prohibited. And it is also potentially punishable under United States Copyright Law.

Some may argue, “Sure, it may be illegal, but then so is driving over the speed limit and everyone is doing it.” We may not say it, but our actions often seem to say that we only believe it’s wrong when we get caught. But, isn’t this subject still being debated in the courts and in public opinion? Isn’t it still a gray area and therefore not necessarily wrong? Should one wait until the whole matter is decided in the courts, or do higher principles dictate what we should do? As with any subject, we have to remember that it’s not what we think that is important—but what God thinks about the subject.

Although God has never parted the heavens and addressed this specific question, this principle is addressed in the Ten Commandments (“Thou shall not steal” and “Thou shall not covet… any thing that is your neighbor’s”), and throughout God’s Word. The Bible also instructs us to follow man’s laws—unless they command us to break God’s Law (Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 5:29). Clearly, by not downloading copyrighted material, we are not in conflict with God’s Law. 

If it is not ours, and we didn’t pay for it—but instead go and take it—then it is stealing! This is the same principle that caused Mr. Pack and The Restored Church of God to rewrite all of Mr. Armstrong’s teachings. We did not own the copyright; we didn’t have permission to reproduce the literature, so it would have been illegal to do it—even though it was God’s own Truth!

Whether the technology exists to make the process easy, or whether everyone else does it, it doesn’t change what it is. There are a lot of things that the world is doing that Christians should not!

The Bible is God’s Instruction Book. It is intended to teach us how to live happy, productive and abundant lives by being in harmony with God’s will. Downloading or duplicating copyrighted music, games or videos might bring an immediate satisfaction and save you some money. In the long run, it isn’t worth the ultimate price you’ll pay for it. But, for those who save wisely, the satisfaction comes in rightly owning the things they would like to have.