Darul Ifta Ibn Masood

Purchasing pirated content

· 5 Jumada I 1445 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

Is it permissible to buy/download pirated content such as courses to learn business or beneficial skills for work?

Answer

From a Shari’ee perspective there is no harm in purchasing pirated content since copyrights are not recognised in Shariah. Yes, if the person pirating the content violates any agreement in place with the manufacturer, then he will be sinful for not fulfilling his pledge.

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

لَا يَجُوزُ الِاعْتِيَاضُ عَنْ الْحُقُوقِ الْمُجَرَّدَةِ (قَوْلُهُ: لَا يَجُوزُ الِاعْتِيَاضُ عَنْ الْحُقُوقِ الْمُجَرَّدَةِ عَنْ الْمِلْكِ) قَالَ: فِي الْبَدَائِعِ: الْحُقُوقُ الْمُفْرَدَةُ لَا تَحْتَمِلُ التَّمْلِيكَ (الدر المختار ص518 ج4)

Answered by
Mufti Mohammed Desai
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Source: Darul Ifta Ibn Masood — https://fataawa.co.za/purchasing-pirated-content/
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/ibnmasood-28247

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