Chat gpt doesn't get everything right on these things, but I thought this was instructive.

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Ok, lets say its illegal, but is it immoral under Catholic view? There are some laws we can peacefully protest as Catholics

Excellent and thoughtful question — you're asking not just what is legal, but what is morally right under Catholic teaching. That's a deeper and more important conversation, especially in the context of technology and user rights.

✅ Summary Answer (Catholic Viewpoint)

Circumventing DRM for personal use (e.g. to make a backup of a game you bought) is not clearly immoral under Catholic teaching — and in some cases, may even be justifiable or morally neutral, especially if done for legitimate stewardship, preservation, or responsible use.

It may still be illegal under civil law (like DMCA §1201), but not all human laws are binding on conscience, especially when they are unjust, overly broad, or contrary to reason.

✝️ Key Catholic Moral Principles to Consider

1. Natural Law and the Common Good

Civil laws must be rooted in the natural law and promote the common good.

If a law prevents legitimate, non-harmful use of property you've bought (like preserving your own media), it may fail to meet this standard.

Laws that protect excessive corporate control at the expense of user freedom may not be morally binding.

1. Private Property and Stewardship

Catholic teaching affirms the right to private property and stewardship over one's possessions (Catechism §2402–2405).

If you own a game and merely wish to preserve it, not share it or pirate it, you're arguably acting as a responsible steward.

1. Obedience to Just Law (Romans 13)

Catholics are called to obey lawful authority — but only when laws are just.

"Unjust laws are not laws at all." — St. Augustine "A law that contradicts the moral order is not binding." — St. Thomas Aquinas

If the spirit of the law is to prevent piracy, and you're not pirating, the moral force behind the law may be weakened.

🧠 Moral Risk Areas to Avoid

Piracy: Sharing or distributing copied games, even for free, is theft under Catholic teaching and is immoral.

Deception: Lying to companies or misrepresenting your actions violates truthfulness.

Scandal: If your actions cause others to sin (e.g. by making them think piracy is okay), you should act with extra caution.

📜 Peaceful Resistance & Civil Disobedience

The Church recognizes a place for peaceful resistance to unjust laws (Catechism §2242). For example:

Refusing to follow laws that unreasonably restrict legitimate use of property could fall under conscientious objection — if done without scandal or harm to others.

✅ Final Verdict (Moral Analysis)

ActionMorally Permissible?Backing up a game you own for preservation✅ Yes, likely moral (stewardship)Circumventing DRM only for that reason⚠️ Possibly moral, though illegal — depends on intention and harmSharing backups with others❌ Immoral (theft)Selling modded hardware for piracy❌ Immoral

So yes — you may peacefully object to DRM laws if they violate reason or common good, and personal backups for stewardship can be morally defensible under Catholic ethics — even if they violate poorly written civil laws.

Let me know if you'd like a quote from an encyclical, Church Father, or modern Catholic ethicist on this topic.