Do You Steal Music, Video, Software or Information?
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I have a firm opinion about the sharing of music and other digital products.
I consider it Theft 2.0.
If you didn’t buy something, but you accept delivery of it - you just stole it.
I have always had this opinion but it certainly took on a deeper meaning when I became an Information Marketer. I make my living at least in part through the development and sale of digital products.
If someone accepts a digital copy of one of my products from a friend or downloads it from a hacker’s blog - they have just taken bread off of my plate.
But this post really isn’t about me or my products. I don’t suspect the WAH community of widespread info product thievery.
Right now, my concern runs much closer to home. I’m disappointed because my son - with whom I’ve had numerous discussions about this topic - ‘torrented’ a full version of some very expensive software and used it.
When he told me I was shocked. It’s no different than walking into Circuit City and stuffing a box of $600 software under his hoodie and walking out of the store.
Needless to say - I had him delete it.
Now the question is, should there be other consequences? I know, that’s a parenting decision I’ll have to make, but I’d really like to hear other parent’s opinions. What would you do if you found that your teens were involved in file sharing?
Kelly McCausey worked hard for others for many years and never made ends meet.
Now this single mom enjoys the freedom that comes from working hard for herself as an internet marketer, podcaster
and WAHM business coach. Host of 
I think having him delete it was great, Kelly, and I think even just a small punishment, would help drive home the point that you see it as wrong.
Lisa Marie Marys last blog post..Judi with an ‘I’ Lights Up My Life!
I would do just what you did, make him delete it, but he needs to realized the severity of his crime. What if he walked into a store and stuffed something in his coat? How would you handle that? I’d make him take it back to the store, and I’m sure there’d be some consequences of that from the store manager, maybe a fine or something. They might even call the police…who knows, probably depends on the cost of the item he stole. I’d make him “pay” for the software he stole, by giving it to you. You could then either put the money away for some future use for him, or purchase the software he wanted, it’s up to you. If he doesn’t have income, then I’d make him work it off, do some extra stuff around the house or out in the community.
Mary Lutzs last blog post..Learning Lots!
Well I don’t have teenagers, but my nephew lives with us and he recently lost the use of his computer entirely because it crashed after a movie he downloaded carried a virus. So he’s having to cough up far more to restore the thing then Netflix would have cost him. Gotta love natural consequences!
Carrie Lauths last blog post..News and Tidbits
Mary, I’m glad that you agree that it is a serious offense. Too many people have a loosie goosie approach to digital products. I’m as yet undecided about my exact approach for further consequences but I am keeping my eye out for something practical.
Carrie, I’m sorry that something so severe happened but it is a natural consequence. My son thinks that he’s tech savvy enough to ‘handle’ anything that comes his way with the internet but if something like that happened he’d be freaking out.
Kelly,
The only way kids can learn is for their parents to teach them right from wrong. I think you handled it just fine - he needs to understand why it is wrong because without that, the lesson is lost. We have our website photos stolen on a regular basis and often the adult “thief” has no concept of how serious his or her actions are. Or at least they act like they are clueless.
Kelly, I agree with you on the importance of this. The one question I would ask is did you put it in personal terms for your son, like you did for us, how if someone stole your work it is taking money out of your pocket. I also agree with Mary on having him go to the company that should have gotten the money and apologize and see if there are any reprecussions there. My guess is that they don’t get many apologies for such things and I think it would drive home the importance of not stealing software again.