alrite guys … I need your comments on using illegal software with respect to Islam. That includes the Operating System (Win98, Win2k, WinXP) you are using right now … howzat ?
Theft is theft ....
BTW I am not using a bootlegged copy coz I am provided a loaded notebook by my employer... :D
No Copyright
As far as I know, there is no copyright in Islam, this is a foreign concept.
Any thoughts.....
Re: No Copyright
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*Originally posted by abdul_kareem: *
As far as I know, there is no copyright in Islam, this is a foreign concept.
Any thoughts.....
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But you have to follow the laws of the land, right? or do you not stop at red lights because its not in Islam?
Similarly, copyright laws are global, and if it is regard as theft then it is. If you are not following that law, then I am sure there will be a question for that too, may be if everything else (like prayers, imaan, haqooq-ul-Allah) passes thru. It should fall under "haqooq-ul-ibaad".
When someone creates something he or she owns it. Whether its a chair made by a carpenter or a software written by a developer. So, if you steal a software by not paying the developer, its similar to you stealing a chair from a carpenter or a painting by an artist.
If the developer allows you to get the software for free, then ofcourse its ok. If he wants you to pay for it, and you someone cheat him, its no different than stealing from the supermaket.
Hence I conclude, that software piracy is probably the same as stealing, and the punishment for stealing is pretty straightforward (its not pretty, I am sorry). It doesn't matter if the software is written by a muslim, christian or a jew.
The above is my take on this question, and not some scholarly interpretation. Feel free to disagree. :)
Alright ... those were your opinioins about copyrights. HAs anyone of you come across any ruling on such a topic. If yes, then please rovide the link of post the text here if it is appropriate. (don't know if mods have a problem with that)
And about the point that its a foreign concept then ... you are right that it is but its his/her right as they developed the software. So ... as someone mentioned, it comes under Huqouq-al Ebad.
A friend of mine raised this question and he had a valid point. He justt told me yesterday that he bought a legal copy of WinXo for AED 500 that's about Rupees 8000.
Important topic .....
Think about it ...
Try the following links:
http://www.islam.tc/ask-imam/view.php?q=949
http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=454&dgn=3
And Allah knows best.
Iqbal
the late mufti-e-azam of saudi arabia, shaikh bin baaz has issued a fatwa regarding acts against copyright law as illegal and considered them equal to theft....
Downloading software is stealing. Unfotunately, that also applies to downloading and burning music online. When one does that, it takes away from the owner's livelihood. We're all guilty of that I'm sure, but just because it's readily available, it doesn't make it right. It is illegal.
alrite ... so it means that the illegal copy of WinXP that I'm running right now is wrong .... for that matter I think that most of us are accused of such 'wrong-doing' aren't we .... ? Majority of living in Pak. and the Gulf and Asia ... :(
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*Originally posted by nos: *
alrite ... so it means that the illegal copy of WinXP that I'm running right now is wrong .... for that matter I think that most of us are accused of such 'wrong-doing' aren't we .... ? Majority of living in Pak. and the Gulf and Asia ... :(
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Yes of course it's wrong, and also keep in mind that an increase in the distrubution of illegal software leads to an increase in the retail price of that software for the honest folks who actually do pay for it. It's a vicious circle.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by nos: *
alrite ... so it means that the illegal copy of WinXP that I'm running right now is wrong .... for that matter I think that most of us are accused of such 'wrong-doing' aren't we .... ? Majority of living in Pak. and the Gulf and Asia ... :(
[/QUOTE]
Yes of course it's wrong, and also keep in mind that an increase in the distrubution of illegal software leads to an increase in the retail price of that software for the honest folks who actually do pay for it. It's a vicious circle.
Copyright does'nt exist in islam.
I have found following information regarding subject matter:
There are not Shar'i (legitimate) conditions and one is not obliged to adhere to them. This is because the requirements of the contract of sale in Islam, just as it gives the purchaser the right to own it also gives him the right to dispose of what he owns. Any condition that contradicts the requirements of the contract of sale, the purchaser is free not to observe it freely even if there are a hundred conditions. A'isha (ra) narrated: That Buraira came (to 'A'isha) and said, "I have made a contract of emancipation with my masters for nine ounces (of gold) to be paid in yearly instalments. Therefore, I seek your help." 'A'isha said, "If your masters agree, I will pay them the sum at once and free you on condition that your Wala' (loyalty) will be for me." Buraira went to her masters, but they refused that offer. She (came back) and said, "I presented to them the offer but they refused, unless the Wala' (loyalty) was for them." A'isha (ra) mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah (saw) so he said, "Do (it)" so she did. The Prophet (saw) then got up and gave a speech to people, where he glorified and praised Allah, and said, " What about some people who impose conditions which are not present? Allah's ordinance is more deserving, and Allah's condition is more firm. Verily, the Wala is for the liberator." The wording (mantooq) of the hadith indicates that the condition which contradicts what is in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger should not be adhered to. As long as the conditions of protecting intellectual property make the use of the sold asset restricted to one sort of benefit to the exclusion of another, then they are invalid conditions and contrary to what is in the Book of Allah (swt) and the Sunnah of His Messenger (saw). This is because it contradicts the requirement of the shar'i contract of selling, which enables the purchaser to freely dispose of and benefit from the asset in any legitimate manner such as selling, trade, gift etc.b
"The Muslims are bound by their conditions except a condition which forbids the Halaal or permits a Haraam." Therefore, it is not allowed in the Shar'a to protect publishing rights, copyrights and patents. Rather they are permissible rights. Thus, the thinker, scholar or inventor of a program owns his knowledge as long as his knowledge is with him and he has not taught it to others. However, once the knowledge went out to others through teaching, selling etc then the knowledge is no more his property. This is because it went out from his ownership when he sold it. So he does not possess the right to prevent others from freely disposing of it after its ownership has transferred to them through a shari'a means such as selling or other means.
*Indeed, the laws of protecting intellectual property are one of the styles of economic and cultural colonialism imposed by the capitalist superpowers on the states of the world and its peoples via the World Trade Organisation. So after these nations had gained ownership of technology, which is the knowledge relating to industry, and production of goods and services, they imposed their laws to hoard this knowledge and prevent other nations from benefiting from them, thus keeping their land's consumer markets for their products and so these nations subject to their influence, stealing their wealth and resources in the name of investment and globalisation. *
Ya Akhie (Brother in Arabic), I’m not talking about one’s loyalty (Wal’a) here so the account that you’ve posted here, does not really fit the situtation.
And when was it in the first place yara !
Its not the knowledge, its the logic, the Formula that is protected. Look at it this way: Some guys … ok lets say its You alrite. You have come up with a new … beverage called Sporty. Now this energy drink is not an ordinary one, it really works (Just assue alrite, not talking of the fact that you can make an extraordinary one :hehe: )
You got your brains working for once and this thing is really a hit. But somehow, your BEST FRIEND, has got the formula to such a drink and and he goes about selling it with the same name, in a different region BUT without your permission. Now, THINK ALRITE … RELAX AND THINK (I’m on ya nerves init :hehe: ) Don’t you see that YOU are at a loss here just because that friend of yours is ILLEGALLY selling that beverage without giving you YOUR DUE REWARD. Even though the formula is something in-tangible you OWN it under the name SPORTY (provided you’ve covered the necessary patent rights or what-so-ever in this regard). HAH !
NOW, DOES ALL OF THIS GO INTO YOUR *#^$Q or do you need more explanation. If you do need to argue, bang your head against the wall … sure feel free to do so. I’ll leave you on your own from now on. But before I leave … here’s text of the link posted by Mr. IQBAL1089. Thanks Mr.Iqbal, that was great help. Yeai a Gem of a person !
P.S: I think the MUFTI explains it best … Man I like this guy !
Link:
http://www.islam.tc/ask-imam/view.php?q=949
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Text: I’ve removed the text because my post becomes undesirably long.
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Originally posted by ak47: *
**Indeed, the laws of protecting intellectual property are one of the styles of economic and cultural colonialism imposed by the capitalist superpowers on the states of the world and its peoples via the World Trade Organisation. So after these nations had gained ownership of technology, which is the knowledge relating to industry, and production of goods and services, they imposed their laws to hoard this knowledge and prevent other nations from benefiting from them, thus keeping their land's consumer markets for their products and so these nations subject to their influence, stealing their wealth and resources in the name of investment and globalisation. *
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Which means if you aren't clever enough to develop a product on your own, it's alright to steal someone elses. Is this what you teach your children? Is this your idea of morals, ak47? Or, is it because it robs Western and European companies, the ends justify the means?
Companies and individuals don't deserve to profit from their labor? They don't deserve what they have created so it's perfectly acceptable to redistribute it without their knowledge or consent? Is this your logic? Sound's like communism!
Would it be different if the copyright holders were Muslim? Or would a true Muslim even bother with such an apparently unislamic and kafir practice as copyrighting?
Peace To All Who Read This...
mrpockets obvioulsy you approve of the capitalist putting copyright laws and pattening every object including food in some cases. In islam it opposite if you can improve on something you welcome this not stealing you cannot steal knowledge 
it's truly baffling how someone can use religion to justify things like stealing and even murder
Stu notice that once again its a vocal minority who has equally disturbing views on everything else.
yaar, noted
ak47
you say you can't steal knowledge ehh. So it is all right for a child (or adult) to cheat on his or her exam(s) by copying someone elses work?