Question:
In Pakistan, The Computer Software CDs available in market are pirated, copied from some original CD, in this way the same thing is available to people in very cheap price?
1. Please tell is it allowed to copy CDs in such manner?
2. Is it allowed to buy such CDs because in Pakistan the operating system ” windows” are even pirated and people buy these in excess?
Answer:
There are differences of opinion amongst the Ulamaa with regards to copyrighting. Some Ulamaa are of the opinion that copyrighting is not supported by the Shari’ah and some are of the opinion that it is permissible to copyright in Islam.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
10 December 2004
27 Shawwal 1425