said by Matt :

I think this is a great idea. Although I'm scared to know whom the burden of proof will fall on and what will exactly constitute proof.

said by karlmarx :

And exactly how would you PROVE someone dowloaded via a torrent? By definition, the torrent comes from MANY sites. What if I've only downloaded 99%s? Am I still in violation? I mean, I can't UNRAR only 99% of the file. Again, they can't ever PROVE that ONE PERSON uploaded or downloaded a torrent UNLESS they are the only source. An incomplete file is NOT PROOF of copyright violation.

said by Ebolla :

yes due to the fact you took physical property, nothing is stolen when you download, only a copy is created.

said by Matt :

A copy for which you haven't paid. So yes, it is stealing. Look up Title 17.

said by jhboricua :

Kindly point where in Title 17 does it say it is stealing.

(1) In general. — Any person who willfully infringes a copyright shall be punished as provided under section 2319 of title 18, if the infringement was committed —

(A) for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain;

(B) by the reproduction or distribution, including by electronic means, during any 180-day period, of 1 or more copies or phonorecords of 1 or more copyrighted works, which have a total retail value of more than $1,000; or

(C) by the distribution of a work being prepared for commercial distribution, by making it available on a computer network accessible to members of the public, if such person knew or should have known that the work was intended for commercial distribution.

said by Matt :

Ironically enough, it's under the section titled Criminal Offenses: »www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html#506

Sub-sections B and C cover it pretty well. A good lawyer could argue for A as well.

said by Matt :

A copy for which you haven't paid. So yes, it is stealing. Look up Title 17.

said by Thaler :

Wait...how are you stealing a copy without paying...when you don't even have a copy of said item?

Aborting the download isn't akin to stealing whatsover, unless there's some category of law that addresses "intent to commit copyright infringement". Last I checked, infringement was rather a binary offense - either you've downloaded a copy of said material, or you haven't.

said by Matt :

Sorry, but if I walk into a car dealership and only steal a tire off a car, I'm still guilty of theft, even though I can't drive the car away.

said by Matt :

I think this is a great idea. Although I'm scared to know whom the burden of proof will fall on and what will exactly constitute proof.