Though you may not find these messages on all compact discs or music you’ve downloaded from the Internet, the same laws apply. Most likely, you’ve seen the FBI warning about unauthorized copying at the beginning of a movie DVD. When you make unauthorized copies of someone’s creative work, you are taking something of value from the owner without his or her permission. The LawĬopyright law protects the value of creative work. Read on to learn to distinguish between legal and illegal practices. Many different actions qualify as piracy, from downloading unauthorized versions of copyrighted music from a file-sharing service to illegally copying music using streamripping software or mobile apps. About Piracy Music theft-or piracy-is constantly evolving as technology changes.