Is sharing copyrighted material (music, movies, software) on the internet a sin?

from the old testament

• God commanded, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). That law did not limit what was included in theft. Whether it was an animal, a garment, or in today’s world, a digital file, the principle stays the same: what belongs to someone else should not be taken without permission. Taking someone’s work without permission, even a digital copy, violates God’s standard for honesty and respect.
• Proverbs warns, “A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight” (Proverbs 11:1). Copying or using another person’s work without payment is similar to a dishonest scale—it gives one side (the user) a benefit without providing fair value to the other side (the creator).
• Proverbs also states, “The integrity of the upright guides them” (Proverbs 11:3). Integrity means doing what is right even when no one else is watching, including in private or anonymous online behavior. When integrity is believers’ guiding principle, they will naturally avoid all obvious signs of piracy and navigate through more subtle forms.
• Scripture not only protects the final product but also the labor involved. For example, God said, “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning” (Leviticus 19:13; see also Deuteronomy 24:14-15). These commands demonstrate that labor itself has value and that withholding a worker’s due is a form of theft. The same principle applies when musicians, programmers, or filmmakers are denied their rightful earnings due to piracy. God’s law upholds honest work and fair exchange as expressions of love for one’s neighbor.

from the new testament

• In the United States, copyright laws protect most music, movies, and software to ensure that creators are paid for their work. The law states that using or redistributing copyrighted material without payment or permission is theft. Paul wrote, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1a). Believers must obey any governing law that does not violate God’s law because the government is a God-placed authority. Paul warned, “whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Romans 13:2). Therefore, copyright and licensing laws are laws that every believer must follow.
• Paul taught that genuine obedience to civil authority includes fairness and respect for others' rights. He wrote that love fulfills the law because it seeks the good of the neighbor (Romans 13:9-10). Those who copy or distribute another person’s work without permission are not showing love to their neighbor, the content creator. Paying, subscribing, or even abstaining when uncertain about the legality of the content source all reflect the self-giving attitude that the gospel produces.
• Integrity also characterizes those who follow Christ. Peter encouraged believers not to suffer for doing wrong but to live in a way that honors Christ's name (1 Peter 4:15-16). This call to upright behavior includes how Christians handle other people’s work and property.
• Paul reinforced the same idea, writing, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands” (Ephesians 4:28). A believer’s life should be marked by diligence and honesty, not by taking what isn’t theirs. Paul also said, “The laborer deserves his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18), confirming that creative work has value and should be fairly paid. Acting with integrity online, even when no one is watching, shows that faith governs even private choices.
• When believers face uncertainty about fair use or unclear licensing, Scripture calls them to act with a clear conscience and in faith (Romans 14:23). That means taking the steps to understand what the law requires and seeking accurate information about permissions or usage rights. Only after thorough investigation should a believer act, being convinced before God that the decision is lawful and upright. When doubt persists, wisdom recommends restraint.

implications for today

In the United States, most music, movies, and software are protected by copyright laws to ensure that creators are paid for their work. Piracy has existed long before the internet, but digital access has made it seem almost normal to use media without paying for it. Adding to the difficulty are the complex streaming, subscription, and monetization models, which make it unclear what content is legal. Despite these challenges, believers are called to live carefully and wisely in this area.

Obeying copyright and licensing laws might seem like a small issue, but it is one of the everyday ways Christians demonstrate that their lives belong to Christ. Choosing honesty in what you watch or share reflects a heart that desires to please Him. The world often dismisses minor dishonesty or finds ways around rules, yet believers are called to live differently. Respecting lawful authority and doing what is right helps others see the character of Jesus in everyday choices.

If you realize that some of what you own or use has been obtained unlawfully, this is a chance for repentance. If possible, delete or remove the material, make amends, and move forward seeking to live transparently before God. These steps may seem small, but they are acts of a clear conscience and a sincere desire to walk in truth.

Faithfulness in this area also honors those who have worked to produce what you enjoy. Paying fairly and using content responsibly affirms that honest work matters to God. Even when no one else sees, the Lord does, and He is pleased when His people act with integrity. Every honest choice is a meaningful testimony to a watching world that Christ truly is alive in you.