The Halachic Status of Using Pirated Software and the Obligation to Repay
Question
I downloaded paid software illegally. I would not have bought these programs otherwise, but I did use them for some time. I am unsure whether I am obligated to pay for the benefit I received. If I am obligated to pay, I have another question: I downloaded many programs and only remember a few of them. Do I need to try to remember all of them and pay each company individually, or is it enough to pay just one company, or to do zikkui harabim instead?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
According to halacha, one must stop using programs that were downloaded illegally. However, one does not need to pay retroactively for the usage until now.
Wishing you well.
Comments
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