TUI UNIVERSITY

Casey L. Scheidt
Case 1
ITM434: Bus. Ethics and Soc. Issues in Cmptng
Dr. Donald Reinhart
July 14, 2011














In 2004, a study was conducted that proved burned CDs accounted Ior over 25 oI all
recorded music. Downloading and burning music Irom the web may seem innocent on top, but
once one looks deeper into the situation, it`s apparent why this is so controversial. When
downloading music Irom the web, one is breaking the law and also violated the rights oI others.
Dr. Steven Gold talks about how to evaluate every aspect oI making moral decisions. His theory
helps to prove that even though the action seems to be nave it is immoral.
'Utilitarian ethics Iocus on encouraging the greatest beneIit. (Gold 1) When using this
concept to decide iI burning CD`s downloaded Irom the web is morally wrong, you can only
look at the consequences oI the action. When one burns a CD illegally, there are no direct
consequences. ThereIore, many don`t Ieel it`s morally wrong. The bottom line is rather
consequences come into play or not, it`s illegal. Look at it this way, iI someone is murdered and
their murderer has not been caught, does that make it not illegal and morally wrong to have
killed? No, just because direct consequences are taken doesn`t make an action okay to do and
continue doing. Wrong is wrong and that`s all there is to it.
On the other hand, deontological ethics 'asses the rights people have and what duties
might go along with them without consideration given to consequences. (Gold 3) Dr. Steven
Gold notes in his lecture on Normative Ethics that 'Simply because an action is permissible does
not mean that one has a right to do it. (Gold 3) Again, this is proving that just because there are
no direct consequences to burning CDs with music illegally downloaded Irom the web, it is still
not acceptable and is morally wrong.
As one can see, both utilitarian and deontological ethics prove that burning CDs
containing music Irom the web is morally wrong. There are three steps one must take to make a
moral decision bringing both ethic groups together. Step 1 is to 'take the time to think oI
everyone that might be hurt or helped Irom this action. (Gold 2) All the artists and producers are
losing money when their songs are illegally downloaded. This might be a small eIIect on them,
but Ior every penny they lose, it takes away Irom their business. II they stop selling albums then
there would be no money to pay their employees. So many people will be without jobs because
every time one person loses something it causes a ripple eIIect. Step 2 is to 'decide whose rights
are to be respected. (Gold 4) 'The Recording Industry Assn. oI America argues that it`s illegal
to share or download music without permission because the labels` copyrights give them
exclusive rights to distribute and make copies oI their songs. (Olsen 2) The reason the copyright
law went into eIIect is because so many people were losing credit and money Irom others
stealing their work. When music is download Irom the web every person who has put their hard
work into making these songs are having their rights violated. Step 3 is to 'make a decision.
(Gold 4) No one can make a decision Ior you that is something you must do on your own. As Dr.
Gold says, 'the important point remains that the rights and duties in any situation are the same no
matter the values and/or cultural perspectives oI the person. (Gold 4) No matter how you look at
it, burning CD`s with downloaded music Irom the web is morally wrong.
Several people think its okay to borrow music Irom a Iriend. They think that makes it
okay because they didn`t directly download the music. It`s still illegal. When someone does
something wrong and one knows about it and says nothing or does anything to correct the
mistake, they are just as wrong. In other words, iI you know someone is breaking the law and
you do nil to stop them, then that makes you just as wrong and just as guilty. Borrowing illegally
downloaded music doesn`t make it legal. Every way you turn the situation, it can be proven,
burning CDs with downloaded music Irom the web and/or borrowing it Irom a Iriend is ethically
wrong.
Many will argue that it`s okay to 'borrow music Irom the web because a musicians` Ians
give them money to see shows and buys other thing to make up Ior a little song. This is not the
case. Would it be okay Ior someone to steal your paycheck? No. But using this presumption, it
shouldn`t matter because you will get another one next week. Put things hand in hand and
countless people will agree, downloading music is more innocent than most crimes, however it`s
just as illegal and morally wrong. Some may also argue it is okay to download music because so
many people are doing it. As the old saying goes, iI everyone was jumping oII a bridge would
you do it?
It is saIe to say, not everyone will agree with the Iacts and many will keep their opinion.
Just because artists and producers continue making money doesn`t justiIy the immortality oI
downloading music. It is erroneous and illegal. In the end, it`s proven in so many diIIerent lights,
burning CDs with downloaded music Irom the web or borrowing it Irom a Iriend is morally
wrong and should be corrected not only by authorities but by all parents allowing their teens to
break the law.


ReIerences
Gold, S.J. (2010). Normative Ethics: A Lecture on Utilitarian and Deontological
Reasoning. Unpublished working paper, Trident University.

Olsen, Eric (2003). Ethics of File Sharing Music. Retrieved July14, 2011
Irom http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/ethics-oI-Iile-sharing-music/