Let's tone down the vitriol shall we? Regardless of what the record companies may think, downloading and burning music for your own use (as opposed to running a warez site or interface) is NOT a criminal offence (at least in Australia), it is a civil offence. So, everyone should stop treating those who do it as dirty criminals! Save it, please, for the animal abusers, murderers and rapists - those who truly deserve it.

Everyone should remember the simple caveat, especially those of a religious background: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Translated: Let he or she who has NEVER committed a summary offence, broken a by-law or contravened a school rule throw the first stone. And, let he whose grammar and spelling is perfect be the first to cast a stone at someone with a disability!

Originally posted by Dogz
It MUST be wrong, it is AGAINST THE LAW.
It seems some of us are confusing morals with the law of the land! Occasionally, what is morally "wrong" in the eyes of most also happens to be illegal, e.g. murder. On the flip side, no one would agree that men should be able to film their female flatmates without their knowledge. This was legal (via a loophole) here until legal precedent paved way for a civil trial (yes, civil, not criminal!). Also, it is perfectly legal, for example, for an unmarried adult aged 18 and above to engage in coition with another unmarried adult - yet many young adults on this board would not do so unless they were married.

For the religious amongst you, if Bush made it illegal for you to practice your religion, would you continue to do so? Of course! Other people, also, follow their own moral code even if it contravenes the law. Does this make murder right, you ask, if it is not against the law? Of course not, and the law will deal with a murderer swiftly. As it will a 12 year old mp3 thief!

But there is a little thing called "free will" ... and can our law enforecement officers stop worrying about a few teenagers stealing music and start catching the murderers and rapists? Sheesh.