Source B
Woodard, Tyler. Art in America. Penguin: Memphis, 2009. Print.
Woodard, Tyler. Art in America. Penguin: Memphis, 2009. Print.
The following is a paragraph from a book about appreciating art.
Theft always involves a thief taking something away for themselves with
the result that the original owner can’t use it anymore. For example,
if I steal your bike, you can’t use it anymore. And this is exactly why
theft is wrong: you had something which you wanted to use, and now you
can’t anymore, simply because I took it.
That’s why downloading music is not theft because it is a form of copying. You download a copy from an original, but the first owner still has the original on his or her computer, and can still enjoy it. In more complicated terms: music files are “non-rival” goods, meaning that my use of the good does not diminish your future use of it.
Let's imagine that you painted a beautiful work of art and hung it on your wall. I compliment you on it because I also think it is a special work. I decide to take a picture of it, so I can print it and hang a copy in my bedroom. Would you ever accuse me of stealing your painting? Downloading music is no different. The artists should be glad we enjoy their music!
That’s why downloading music is not theft because it is a form of copying. You download a copy from an original, but the first owner still has the original on his or her computer, and can still enjoy it. In more complicated terms: music files are “non-rival” goods, meaning that my use of the good does not diminish your future use of it.
Let's imagine that you painted a beautiful work of art and hung it on your wall. I compliment you on it because I also think it is a special work. I decide to take a picture of it, so I can print it and hang a copy in my bedroom. Would you ever accuse me of stealing your painting? Downloading music is no different. The artists should be glad we enjoy their music!