This is a well spread around graphic: and makes IMO a pointless point. It is often used to try and legitimise illegal file sharing - which I dont think is a fair argument at all. Yes distribution of copyrighted material is not theft. It doesnt make it not illegal.<p>I feel justified in calling it theft though: the legal definition of theft is old and out of date for starters (same with copyright law: these sharers cannot have double standards on that surely).<p>What we call it is immaterial: recognising the problem is potentially more important. And I believe if calling it theft makes people consider it a crime much more than copyright infringement then that is, surely, a good thing.<p>And at the end of the day it <i>morally</i> feels like theft. :D<p>I approve of the effort to highlight the differences between the activities. But as an attempt to legitimise piracy and illegal file sharing I think it is wrong and highly misleading (the suggestion being the last of the 3 examples is not illegal).