Topic: Is It Stealing If...?

I'm generally against downloading media unless I already own it. But what about music, movies, or video games from Japan that was never released outside of Japan? Would it be still be immoral to download it illegally even though you can't get the content unless you manage to find an import. With games it's even harder. I'd have to import the game, import a Japanese game system, buy an outlet converter, and only then could I legally play it. Why can't I just download a rom and emulator? How can it be wrong for an American in America to illegally download something from Japan when it was never in the market outside of Japan? I would think it wouldn't be stealing since it's not on the market to buy in my country.

In my opinion, its still stealing. But I'd condemn you a lot more if it was something you COULD pay and support through an official release. When I can, I import anyway. (Mostly DS games.) But its hard for some systems, like Wii, that are region-locked. I haven't gone there yet, but its very tempting to do certain things to make it able to play foreign games. A little off-topic maybe...

But most of the stuff I want to "steal" they don't even publish or produce anymore, so any copy I might import would only be used. The original makers don't get any money from used media, so how is it any different from just downloading other than it's way more convenient to download?

Yes, it's still stealing, because there's always importing.

I'm not sure it is. It's not on the market in my country. How can I steal digital media that's not on the market here? That's almost like saying I'd be guilty of assault if I flamed someone on the internet. Or that man walked on Mars because we sent a robot up there. Or that Europeans discovered America. It just seems like there's a flaw in logic with this whole downloading = stealing thing.

Stealing yes, immoral depends how you feel about companies being jerky about some 'import' releases that should/likely could have done well enough here to merit a release, but ultimately immoral too if it matters.

Now I do agree more with your 2nd post train of thought. I've never liked where people get so crazy about protecting old software when the game+system can't even be bought used or found so easily anymore as they were in their time. The issue I get is that eventually retro-re-releases started to pop up in compo packs or what not so they found a way to dust off something to make a few bucks.

It's definitely still technically "stealing" but I do the same thing with music. The only music I ever download is stuff from Japan that's upwards of 50 dollars a CD, because it can't be found here.

The thing is they may later want to release it in America, and even if they don't it's their right to not release it and you can't rationalize that you deserve something for free just because it's not for sale.

If you take something that's for sale (regardless of location) without paying for it, that's stealing.

Anyway, although this is starting some interesting discussion I'm going to lock it as we don't allow talk of piracy and media downloads here, I'm afraid.