Argh! Is this stealing? Piracy, Ethics, etc.

[Lavazza]

For the record, I have never pirated anything in my life. So if my comments have appeared to support pirating, I apologize for the misunderstanding!

I also will apologize also as I do feel that I may have overstepped my bounds a bit and squashed some toes. I did not mean to make presumptions on your part but did so anyway. I would also state that I do think it's extremely beneficial to evaluate the situation from all angles as you are doing, and declining to judge only when you feel your mind is made up. Too often we jump to judgment first without thinking, so kudos for that!

I will cease my debate since I don't think I can add much to what I've already put down above, and as usual I am happy to let a discussion rest in agreeing to disagree. But before I do, I would add that I agree with Richard's post, it is exactly what I feel but more succinctly written:

Pirated music (or video or text) takes from another entity the fruits of their labors. That they use to feed, clothe and house themselves and the ones they love. It doesn’t matter how much window dressing one piles onto it…you are still using something that you did not ask (or pay) the owner for. Being of a spiritual bent…on a spiritual path does not absolve you of your responsibilities to the culture you choose to live in.

Within the realm of the LOO though…..its an inherently self serving act.