One of your classmates was kind enough to share this uplifting article about a veteran that bootlegs movies and sends hundreds of DVDs of current movies to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Totally illegal, but totally nice. A utilitarian analysis would certainly find this ethical, as the greatest good for the greatest number is served by this man’s illegal activities. This is a great example of where ethics and law do not align. My lingering question is why the movie companies haven’t already been doing this. It would be an inexpensive and popular way to give back.
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11 Comments
Nick Li posted on May 2, 2012 at 4:51 pm
They’re too pre-occupied with passing acts like SOPA and ACTA to really give a flip. However, if they realize doing something like this will give them good publicity (which they are in desperate need of), they might start doing this themselves.
Evan Weinreb posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:44 pm
The movie companies should start doing this or give up their pursuit on many copyright infringement cases and allow people like Hyman Strachman in this article to do what’s morally right. Our law is outdated regarding copyright infringement because it’s a reality that movies are copied and sold without permission all the time, we might as well protect some people doing it like the guy in this article. Or maybe instead of encouraging infringement, they need to start looking for ways to improve their reputations and popularity amongst people by doing what this man did instead of focusing solely on profits.
Mohammad, Mohd Zain posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:47 pm
There comes a point where ethics rules over law. There is absolutely no reason why this man should be penalized. More people should be performing acts like this. This man is selflessly giving back to the people who allow us to live in America like we do today and protect our nation. Ethics here outlaws any copyright infringement or piracy laws.
Hope Blalock posted on May 4, 2012 at 4:53 pm
My biggest question about this article is how can the man still be able to continue giving his generous gifts now that his the illegal aspects have been publicized? Doesn’t it seem that the movie companies would want to press charges now that they know about it? If something like that were to happen, it would also raise an interesting ethical question for the writer, publisher, etc. of the article.
James T. Curtis posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:27 pm
I love stories like this. As most people before me have written, I totally agree that sometimes the right thing to do is NOT the legal thing. What this man is doing is completely respectable and awesome but it is also illegal. I would love to see one of the movie companies learn about what this guy is doing and NOT sue him, but instead start a program that does what he does. Maybe they could even make it in his name. There are so many reasons that a company should do something like this. I just think sometimes companies are capable of making selfless decisions for the greater good. And maybe some good can actually come out of these decisions for the people it benefits and the companies.
Julia Poon posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:33 pm
I completely agree with James. Movie companies should definitely get on this and start to give back. What this guy did was admirable and ethical but should not be illegal.
Ryan Gee posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Although what this man has done is inspiring and should be recognized as a hero, what he has done cannot be recognized as ethically correct. In the short term, the pleasure of all these soldiers is definitely beneficial; but how about the long term implications. Copyright infringement has lead to decline of record labels, which I would bet also leads to job loss. Music is still around because the cost of producing music is still relatively cheap. However, if thousands of people copy movies and distribute them, this could lead to the decline of Movie producers and sponsors and therefore no movies will be produced because individuals cannot make movies on their own. I am not saying that his actions are ethical or unethical; but there are definite long term implications that could occur making his pirating possibly unethical in the future.
Nick Li posted on May 6, 2012 at 2:29 am
After reading the other comments, I feel the man’s actions are definitely commendable, but illegal. Like Ryan implied, allowing him to continue would violate everything the law stands for, even if a good deed. What many have suggested is that the companies take his place in doing this, which would eliminate any legal issues.
This would be comparable to what many television studios have started doing. Because they know people are illegally downloading and viewing episodes of their shows online instead of on television (depriving them of revenues from ads), they have started posting the episodes on their own sites and throw in an ad or two at the beginning or in between. That way, a viewer can legally watch the show online while the company can still make some revenue off of a few ads.
Sophie Park posted on May 6, 2012 at 4:01 am
I would agree with the fact that this is an illegal act that should be punished, but this man is a 92 year old WWII veteran who is lonely with no hobbies. So cute. Instead of suing this cute little man, I would say that this opens up a world of soldiers that many citizens are not aware of: the simple notion of entertainment in the war field that may bring nostalgic memories of home. Movie companies or veteran charities should try to develop an entertainment system so that a WWII veteran does not have to resort to illegal acts.
Rafael Grados posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:00 am
Even though I admire his intentions and effort, to argue in favor of piracy is wrong. Although he has good intentions, he should abstain from his service and in exchange focus his dedication in advocating in favor of a reform of copyright laws or a legal service that supports the troops.
Yuting Su posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:18 pm
I do not agree that ethical doesn’t equal legal. This man is doing is completely respectable. For soliders, he is a hero.
but for movie industry, what he has done is unethical and illegal. He did violate copyright and harm moive industry.