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by tim333 930 days ago
This is obviously a bit about the definition of words but I've only really heard it called stealing in the US where I think the narrative is pushed by corporate interests. In the UK where I live the offence is generally called copyright infringement because under UK law that's what it is.
1 comments

You're correct that it's called copyright infringement, but it's not strictly an offence - it's a tort. Copyright holders can in certain circumstances sue for damages, but you cannot be prosecuted by the crown. Making an illegitimate copy for profit or in order to harm the copyright holder, though, is a criminal offence (see section 107 of the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988[1]).

[1]: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/107