is it illegal to copy files from one compute to another?

Question

my boyfriend and an old friend are fighting and the friend says that my bf copied files from his computer without his knowledge and is now saying that doing so is illegal. the only thing he copied were some old photos and a few emails that were sent between the 2, nothing else. none of these documents are copyrighted, trademarked, registered in any way yet the friend insists what my bf did is illegal. so if there is no registration is it in fact illegal?
the friend gave him full use of his computer while he was at his house. the 2 were only separated by a room and could have looked in on each other at any time so i dont know if it could be considered an intrusion of privacy?
anyone know?

Answer 1

From a legal standpoint, yes, if your boyfriend made a copy of a file on his friend's computer without permission, then it is illegal.



Consider this - companies use computers for their work. They do not allow just any employee to copy files from their computers, only authorized employees, and people get fired for unauthorized copying.



There is more going on in this argument than just "illegal copies", the old friend might be concerned your boyfriend has stolen copies of paid-for software or stolen passwords. I said stolen, not snitched.



So for the short term, your boyfriend should not go to the old friend's house again, for any reason. It might take an outsider - someone who is not friends with either one, to discuss the issue with each one and gather information for advice - it's called arbitration.

Answer 2

I don't know the laws for photos, but as someone who does writing, I do know that material is considered automatically copyrighted from the moment it is completed. Technically, I believe that the person who creates the files has ownership, which means the rights to share or not share on their own terms.



I suspect that the e.mails belong to the person who wrote them, saved them, and stored them in his own computer. I could be wrong (which, of course, doesn't answer your question - sorry).



I suppose, technically, the matter is not about using the computer or invading privacy since the friend gave permission to "full use" of the computer. Maybe some law would say that without specifying what is meant my "full use" copying files may not be legal. On the other hand, some law could say that "full use" doesn't include copying material.



I'm not entirely positive that what your boyfriend did was illegal (although it could very well be). I think, though, it's more a matter of taking liberties after being given permission to use the computer. This is one of those situations - let's face it - when most people would assume that "full use" means checking e.mail, going online, typing a paper, etc. - not copying the contents found on the PC. Legal or not, your boyfriend took a liberty that the friend probably never would have imagined would be taken. (I know when my son comes to my house and uses my PC here I wouldn't imagine he'd copy my files without asking.)



There may be a law that says a person has a reasonable right to expect that the files on his computer will be treated as personal property, and a person (even one who lets someone use the PC) has a "reasonable expectation" that files will not be copied. Then again, maybe there's a law that says that by allowing anyone to use your computer you have given up your rights to such an expectation.



I think your boyfriend could help the situation by telling the friend, "Hey, I'm sorry. I just assumed it would be ok if I copied the files. It didn't occur to me that you'd mind. Now I know differently." Sometimes it isn't a matter of what's legal or not, but a matter of a misunderstanding between two people who have different expectations of what is private and personal and what isn't. The friend probably feels he "gave your boyfriend and inch and your boyfriend took a mile". He probably trusted your boyfriend to just use the machine and is probably feeling he trusted him more than he should.



An apology and an offer to delete any copied files from your boyfriend could go a long way. Sometimes if someone just acknowledges that he did cross a line (at least in the eyes of some people) it can make the "wronged" person feel less "victimized". Maybe it can't be called an "intrustion of privacy", but I think it could be called a "betrayal of implied trust". :)

Answer 3

if your bf's friend gave him full access to the computer and your bf copied files shared between the 2 then its not illegal. if this was a court case the judge would laugh at your bf's friend. it would be illegal to copy files that were not SHARED between the 2 but if the files were SHARED then they are technically owned by both, sharing means that both agreed that both were granted access to the files.

Answer 4

unless what was copied over was private and affected something like centerlink or such, it's not really illegal if given permission. it could still be considered stealing however if there is no consent or it is a trademarked/registered document



hope this helps :D

Answer 5

If it's not copyrighted then it's NOT illegal. But since he was taking personal information from his friend without his permission, then it IS illegal.

Answer 6

NO, what your bf did is not illegal, tell that to your friend.. but he should be regarded of his privacy. you don't want people going through your stuff without acknowledgment.

Answer 7

Lmao. How old is your boyfriend?This stuff is adolescent hijinks Tell your b/f to grow a set and tell that other bloke to buger off eh.

Answer 8

yes sorry same as stealing his computer from him.