Is it permissible to publish an original, purchased copy of a game, film, or program online – provided it is free of Sharia-prohibited elements – for others to benefit from it for free, given that it is copyrighted and no permission has been obtained from the producer, and is it permissible to download what others have published?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible for the purchaser of an original, copyrighted copy of a program to upload it to a website or forum for others to benefit from, even if they do not intend to profit, because the contract only covers the use of the purchased copy. It is not permissible to infringe upon the reserved rights of the publishers. Similarly, it is not permissible to download what others have uploaded unlawfully.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/135899
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 135899
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy