Viewing Thread:
"Have you ever done anything illegal?"

So far in your life, have you ever broken the law? You can answer with a simple yes or no, or go into more detail.

I'm thinking a high percentage of people have done something illegal. I'm not talking about murder or rape (though I wouldnt be suprised if some of you have committed arson) but small, petty crimes.

Perhaps you werent even aware you were committing a crime or you feel what you've done shouldnt be illegal in the first place.

Lets have a quick run down to confirm whether some things you might have done, are actually illegal or not. And no this is not a list of things I've done. (well not all of them)

Is it illegal to download copyrighted songs, movies and TV shows?
Is it illegal to park in a disabled space?
Is it illegal to steal traffic cones and wear them as a hat?
Is it illegal to prank call the emergency numbers?
Is it illegal to have sexual intercourse with livestock?
Is it illegal to park infront of somebodys driveway?
Is it illegal to film your sister in the shower?
Is it considered rape if you have sex with a drunk woman?
Is it illegal to pay someone 'cash in hand' to avoid taxes?
Is it illegal to litter?
Is it illegal for women to walk around topless in town?
Is it illegal to use someone elses WIFI connection?
Is it illegal to burn flags?

I think that'll do for now =/

Exactly Chaos! If I was to download a film through Limewire or through a torrent, watch it, and then delete it, is that any worse than watching something straight off of YouTube or TvLinks? Does that then make Piracy illegal but watching something of TvLinks illegal? It doesn't apply to me though as I only download music and I never delete any ;)

The fine line I've never been able to define, is between YouTube and something like Limewire. Only thing I can see is if your computer physically contains the music or movie, then it's a crime?

Whereas when I download things they are just for personal use, shame on you Chaos.

Timmargh wrote:
> tnc wrote:
> Streaming something like a music video on YouTube can't be
> classed as 'stealing' as such, because it's not something you'd
> pay for anyway if you watched it on a music channel...
>
> Technically it still is because you can buy music videos
> (they go for £1.89 a pop on iTunes) and to watch it on a
> music channel you'll have paid for a TV license and presumably a
> satellite/cable subscription.
>
> Sorry!

So by that logic, does that make watching a video on YouTube illegal?

Right now, I'm downloading Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Office 2007, several movies, and them im selling them all for a profit... Is that really such a crime?

I think half the trouble is that when you download something there's no actual physical evidence unlike if you've shoved a DVD down your pants in a shop. People download, watch, delete and then assume they've done nothing wrong.

tnc wrote:
> Streaming something like a music video on YouTube can't be
> classed as 'stealing' as such, because it's not something you'd
> pay for anyway if you watched it on a music channel...

Technically it still is because you can buy music videos (they go for £1.89 a pop on iTunes) and to watch it on a music channel you'll have paid for a TV license and presumably a satellite/cable subscription.

Sorry!

The issue is copyright, method of delivery and/or whether the content has any monetary value is irrelevant.

Streaming something like a music video on YouTube can't be classed as 'stealing' as such, because it's not something you'd pay for anyway if you watched it on a music channel.

As for downloading though, I suppose you are technically stealing as it doesn't cost you anything to get something to keep which you'd have to buy off something like iTunes

I download music videos from YouTube, would that be considered illegal? Wow, I never realised how much I break the law :S

Machie wrote:
> ... As for me I've done a few things, I think my worst offence is
> downloading stuff. =( I'm sorry Timmargh ...

No need to apologise to me, mister -- I'm not judging anyone.