Can you steal something that's free?

[sdfgeoff]

Don't get me wrong, I haven't stolen anything.

Youtube is free.
You can go on there any time and listen to any music for zero extra cost.

So it's free, right?

Can you steal something that's free?
Well, no, because it's free.

So how about downloading 'illegal' music from youtube???

[Sergeant Thorne]

Well, it may be only a half answer, but consider that this music is free because YouTube has made a mutually beneficial agreement with the artist(s), so that the music is played through YouTube, where you have both further exposure to the artist, as well as exposure to YouTube advertisements. If you want a song go pay the $0.99 and download a high quality version.

[Foil]

You can go on [Youtube] any time and listen to any music for zero extra cost.

So it's free, right?

No! It's not.

Thorne is exactly correct, Youtube has agreements in place with advertisers and the legal holders of the music. Revenue is generated for YT and the artists via features in their interface. You are not allowed to watch for free - you are explicitly permitted to watch only within that system. Legally this is the "cost" you pay for the convenience they provide.

When you illegally rip copyrighted music from YT streams for use outside of their service, it's called theft.

[Jeff250]

It's all about copying rights. If you buy an mp3 for 99 cents, you're paying for the right to listen to it, not to copy it. Being able to listen to music for free is no different if they haven't given you any copying rights. A lot of software is also free but not redistributable. Note that sometimes people do give you copying rights (see "copyleft," GPL, etc.), but unless you're explicitly given copying rights, by default, you don't have any.

[Spidey]

Wow, that’s the best nutshell explaination of this issue I have ever read.

Too bad people just don't get it.

[sdfgeoff]

It's all about copying rights. If you buy an mp3 for 99 cents, you're paying for the right to listen to it, not to copy it. Being able to listen to music for free is no different if they haven't given you any copying rights. A lot of software is also free but not redistributable. Note that sometimes people do give you copying rights (see "copyleft," GPL, etc.), but unless you're explicitly given copying rights, by default, you don't have any.

Wow, good answer.

[Sergeant Thorne]

That's a great explanation.