Q&A: Duplicating Game Cards to Play for Free
Duplicating Game Cards to Play for Free
Question
Hello Rabbi,
There is a kind of technological device that can imitate and transmit frequencies. For example, the moment someone presses a remote that opens an entrance gate, the device is able to copy the frequency and transmit it itself, and that way open the gate as well. The device can also copy a card for arcade machines, including the balance loaded onto it, and transmit it endlessly. That means that if I bought a card at an arcade loaded with a certain amount, I could duplicate that card and play endlessly for free (the balance does not go down).
Is this considered robbery or theft? Is it forbidden from a halakhic standpoint?
Answer
I don’t understand the question. Of course it’s forbidden. You’re playing without paying.
Discussion on Answer
Using an item that is meant to be rented out without payment is forbidden. This falls under the rule of “this one benefits and that one loses” (because the property is intended for rental). And even when it is not intended for rental, it is still forbidden (especially since the use causes wear to the machine, like the blackening of a wall). And of course the law forbids it, so Jewish law does too under the principle of the law of the kingdom being law.
Obviously it isn’t proper, but I was interested in the reasoning. After all, it doesn’t sound like theft, since nothing was actually taken. Rather, one is using the game machines for enjoyment, but without paying.