• If the owners of the material require payment, and no payment is given in exchange for product, then yes, that is stealing.
• If the material available for download is someone else’s property, then that “free” download is stealing.

Many people think that they are relieved of any responsibility if the content available on the Internet is unrestricted.  This is patently false!  Taking someone else’s property without their permission, or without giving payment when required, is clearly stealing.  To claim ignorance of this fact as it relates to Internet music downloads, etc. is simply ridiculous.