You get a phone call from a friend telling you about an interesting article in Magazine XYZ which you should read.
Whilst at the supermarket, you know they have a large selection of magazines and newspapers, you pick up the magazine, read the article, and put the magazine back on the shelf.
IS THAT STEALING?
Later on, just by the fruits and vegetables counter, you see a notice saying "NO SAMPLING" to stop people eating grapes and other small fruits.
Now, have you changed your mind? Is reading an article on a magazine and not buying it stealing or not?
I once read War and Peace and Crime and Punishment by just visiting a bookshop daily and reading a few pages.
...that must have been a great number of visits to the bookstore.
ReplyDeleteYes it was indeed. It took me just over three years to read both books a few pages at a time at each visit. Sometimes I lost the place where I just read and had to read some pages again.
DeleteI also wanted to read Pride and Prejudice; but the bookstore owner stopped me from his shop. So I watched the film on TV with the subtitles on; so I can now say I've read that book too.
I've just bought a new dictionary. I finally finished reading the old one. Not much of a plot. The author keeps changing the subject every few words.
God bless, Tom.
Yes, I would consider that stealing, although I'll not report anybody. Many years ago I was in a shop where people sold their crafts on consignment. I saw a particularly clever idea and proceeded to take a snapshot of it. At once the shop owner was at my elbow telling me I was stealing someone's idea and should not be taking pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhile I felt humiliated, I did see his point and felt conscious-stricken. I've never done that again (and I did not keep the photo nor create anything in my sewing room from that photo).
You make a very good point, Barbara. It's like infringement of Copyright. If you see a nice pattern knitted somewhere in a shop, and you memorise it, (not take a photo), and when you get home you knit a garment with that pattern (more or less). Is that stealing?
DeleteI suppose it depends what you do with the knitted garment. If it's one just for you ... perhaps not stealing. But if you knit many industrially for sale, perhaps it is stealing. After all, a pattern or design is just that, a design. Who can say, (and prove), it is their original design and copyright.
I've asked a lawyer about Copyright of songs. He explained that if I sing a song in public and others can witness that I sang it on a given date; then if someone copies it (lyrics/music) I can prove it is mine. But then ... he said ... "Have you got the money to defend your ownership of the song in Court?"
Thank you for raising a good point Barbara. God bless you.
That is definitely something to ponder, Victor. We should always strive to do what is good in God's eyes.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
What did God say about stealing? Is gossip and tittle-tattle stealing someone's good name and reputation?
DeleteGod bless, Martha.
I believe it is stealing. Have I done this? Probably but I haven’t in years. It’s better to go to the library where they have a comfortable lounge area full of newspapers from around the country and magazines from every genre to just sit and read.
ReplyDeleteA very good point, Debby. I've checked on this with a lawyer. He said (technically) reading an article in a magazine and not buying it is stealing of informations. It is a moral issue but it cannot be held in Court as stealing.
DeleteHere's another thought - using the Internet at work for your personal use. Is that stealing? Morally yes, if the boss does not allow it. The lawyer said the boss has every right to fire you - but he should also do this to all other employees who have used the Internet for personal use. And he should have informed all staff beforehand that personal use of the Internet is not allowed.
God bless, Debby.
Yikes, that's an interesting question. I often wonder about reading library books...is that like stealing too? I mean, the library may bought the book, or it may have been donated to them. But to have hundreds of people check it out and read it, doesn't that take away from the author's rights to sell the book? How does that work? I prefer library books to buying books, but if I wrote a book I would want it to be sold instead of loaned...Hmmm, dilemma for sure. Thank you for giving me something to think about, as I had run out of topics. LOL. Love your posts, truly.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with reading library books, Pamela. I understand there's a system in place whereby the author is paid every time a book is loaned out by a library - nationwide. I believe the libraries system keep records of how often, (how many times), a book is borrowed and the author is paid through the publisher of the book. So ... for example, if you ask the library for one of my books and they don't have it; they'll buy it, put it on the system, and tell my publisher every time it is loaned out. (And I'll be happy).
DeleteA similar system exists for when I was on the radio. Radio stations keep a system of how often a record/song has been played on air. They then pay an organisation, which in turn pays the publisher of the song who pay the artist, (singer, musicians, and so on).
So singers from the past (60s and 70s) are still earning money every time their songs are played on radio, TV, or other electronic devices like Alexa etc ...
God bless, Pamela.
Against the tide, perhaps. But no, I don't consider reading a magazine article or sampling a grape a sin. In fact, if questioned, I wonder the storekeepers don't count such things into their costs of goods sold. After all, while lingering the customer is apt to purchase something else. Just my 2-cents.
ReplyDeleteTwo topics here, Mevely:
Delete1 Some supermarkets here in the UK specifically say "No Sampling" and would prosecute anyone caught on camera for stealing grapes, peanuts etc ... Yet, other supermarkets have a small table with fruits, (bananas, oranges, apples and pears - not small fruits like grapes and strawberries), with a notice for children to help themselves. I resent that, because being a mean person by nature, I feel I am paying for the fruits given free. I guess if a child or his greedy parents over-help themselves some shop assistant built like Hercules would sort them out! So in effect ... it depends on the supermarket's policy if sampling is stealing.
2 My second topic. Once in London I passed a restaurant with an "open-air" type kitchen where you could see the staff cooking. They had barbecues on and other great meals and the aroma from that restaurant was the best you could imagine. All I could afford is some bread I got from the supermarket. So I stood outside in the street eating the bread and enjoying the aroma from the restaurant. The owner got upset and said I stole his aroma. An argument ensued. Eventually, I got some coins from my pocket and shook them vigorously in my hands and said, "Hear that? Now you have been paid by the sound of my money.
What do you think?
God bless you, Mevely, my friend.
I have seen people pick up magazines in stores appear to read an article or two and put them back!
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's best to visit a local library (if you have one nearby) and read the many magazines and books that are usually available for free there.
Have a good week ahead.
All the best Jan
Yes, I agree, Jan. Libraries have magazines, and often some good books too, (hint hint). See my response to Pamela above.
DeleteGod bless always.
I would say yes, it is stealing.
ReplyDeleteThanx Happyone. God bless.
DeleteBetter to borrow the friend's copy of the magazine instead. I've browsed a couple of magazines while waiting in the check stand, glancing at a paragraph or two of something which interests me, but not reading whole articles.
ReplyDeleteMs. G, my Wednesday client, will not buy grapes until she has sampled one because she will not waste her money if they aren't sweet enough. She considers sampling one to be fair as she usually does buy some, and she buys a lot of other stuff there, too.
The matter of sampling is certainly a personal one. Would we, for instance, see it as acceptable to sample everything before buying it? Food, drinks, clothings, furniture, equipments, and so on and everything? How much more expensive life would be for everyone with all the free (unpaid) sampling taking place, or returns that people have tried and not bought?
DeleteNo wonder some people are sampling religions and deciding what fits their lifestyles.
God bless, Mimi.
You know, I think it is stealing.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Sandi. Luckily, my lovely books are available to download FREE from www.holyvisions.co.uk
DeleteThey are better than any article in a magazine which one reads in a shop whilst hopping from foot to foot. My books can be read sitting down on an armchair or a Rodeo Bucking Bronco, or Bull.
God bless, Sandi.