The Banner

You probably have not seen anything that looks like the stereotypical pirate running around on campus. However there are many students on the campus of California Baptist University who might be classified as "pirates" according to one modern-day definition. These pirates are not easily dentifiable like those traditionally known to have patches over their eyes and swords around their waist.

Modern day pirates can have the appearance of any student on campus. They may be traveling to class by skateboard. They may be standing behind you in the lunch line. They may even be your best friend. Dun, dun, dun... These pirates can only be discovered by finding the "hidden treasure" that lies in their computers or in their stereos.

The computers of these "Musical Pirates" - a fitting name - "may be permeated with illegal music files. Or perhaps their laptops have multiple burned CDs with unauthorized duplicated soundtracks. Whether they know it or not, this practice is illegal.

The Christian Music Trade Association defines music piracy as,"any form of unauthorized duplication and/or distribution of music including downloading, file sharing and CD- burning."

According to this definition, music piracy is not solely selling music to gain profit, as many students like to say in order to rationalize their crime. Music piracy is displayed in various forms. Some examples, given on the Recording Industries Association of America's website, include: sending music files to a friend via an instant messaging service, burning CDs for friends or joining a file sharing network.

Some students may be unaware that they are committing a crime by burning a CD for a friend since it is such a common practice nowadays. Others are completely conscious that they are doing something illegal, but choose to ignore it. This speaks of their integrity.

There are many Biblical principles that apply to this issue in particular.

There is quite obviously the command, "Thou shalt not steal," found in Exodus 20. Christians are also commanded in Romans 13 to obey our authorities. Verse four calls governmental authorities "God's servants and verse two says, "he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

Sure, stealing music might not get a person thrown into Davy Jones Locker. But besides the fact that copying and stealing music is wrong, if someone is caught, there can be serious consequences. RIAA.com reports that "Criminal penalties can run up to five years in prison and/or $250,000 in fines, even if you didn't do it for monetary or financial or commercial gain."
There are many alternatives to copyright infringement if a college student is unable to listen to their favorite songs due to a lack of money.

Pandora.com calls itself "internet radio." Visitors to the web site are able to create multiple personalized radio stations just by typing in the name of a song or their favorite recording artist. The web site will remember your stations if you register for an account. Registering is free, which is just one of the many enjoyable features of this web site.

People who have accounts on YouTube - also free to create -can now create and edit their own playlist. Unlike Pandora, registered users can create playlists of specific songs they want to hear - whereas Pandora creates a random selection based on what they think you would like. Registered users are also able to share their playlists with family and friends.

Those who would still like to enjoy your favorite music, but are unable to be near a computer, iTunes has allowed anyone with iTunes 9 or later to share their music with as many as five computers within their local network connection.

So, musical pirates out there, be ye ready to belay stealing music?