(June 24, 2009 at 3:02 pm)Meatball Wrote: Copying an MP3 is not the same as "stealing a little bit of a painting". It's a completely different ballgame. The simplest way I can think of explaining it is this: copying an MP3 creates no 'loss' for the owner like taking a painting does. The owner is not "short" by one mp3 because I copied it, but if I take his painting, he can't sell that painting anymore. You can argue that they have lost potential revenue because I didn't purchase a legit copy, but they have not lost any product, nor any money. Perhaps it's better to say they have not gained anything.
In summary, copyright laws are absolutely ridiculous.
You can try and argue all you like against the copyright laws but, in a rights based society, laws broadly reflect morality and (based on the fact that successive administrations have been voted in none of them with the mandate to repeal such laws indeed having strengthened them if anything) society appears to regard the copyright laws as justifiable (that there is no essential distinction between the theft of a painting and the download/theft of something someone does not own) and therefore, in downloading music that you have no legal license to, you are a criminal.
I have to say if you were find for doing so I wouldn't be anymore sympathetic than I was to my brother when he was done for driving too fast (which incidentally is also regarded as OK by many motorists).
Kyu
Angry Atheism
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Where those who are hacked off with the stupidity of irrational belief can vent their feelings!
Come over to the dark side, we have cookies!
Kyuuketsuki, AngryAtheism Owner & Administrator
