Question
If it's an internet service instead of a product like software, may I register/pay to use it even if they attach corrupt conditions to its usage (i.e before finalizing registration on a website you're asked to click the "I Agree" button to confirm your agreement with the corrupted "Terms of Use" (such as copyright, etc.) which they demand you to abide by in exchange for using their service") As an example, an online (or even brick & mortar) book service offers a monthly paid subscription to access its entire digital / physical library. Amongst the conditions of the subscription is that you may not reproduce the books you've obtained from them in any way. You may only read them for the duration of your subscription; afterwards you may either renew it (the subscription) in order to keep reading or return the books / delete them from your computer. Is it permissible to agree or abide by such terms?
Answer
You have to abide by the conditions to which you have agreed. You do not own anything. You are paying for a service, not for a physical book which would belong to you. Therefore, you may not reproduce it. It is just as a person would take someone's book without his permission and reproduce it.
If you are allowed to only view and not print, and if you have agreed to this condition, then you should not violate the pledge/ promise / agreement. A Muslim is bound to uphold his honour and integrity. Since you are not the owner of the material, you should abide by the agreement.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 23 No 09
- PDF page
- 2
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).