I tend to agree, Meatball, but the problem shifts depending on what is being downloaded. If I find a shareware program that actually does what I need it to do, I will register it and pay the fee.
People who download movies from a P2P network are "guilty" but people who record movies from HBO/Showtime on their DVRs are not? That seems like a bizarre distinction. If the rationale for downloading/copying is simply to watch it at your own convenience OR fast forward through the commercials that seems like a"fair use" under the copyright law. Re-selling those copies of course is strictly out but lending it to a friend becomes more of a question. "Intent" should matter.
As for music....when I was a kid I had a reel-to-reel tape recorder and recorded whatever I wanted off the radio. I would rather have root canal than listen to today's "music" so don't go by me on that one.
People who download movies from a P2P network are "guilty" but people who record movies from HBO/Showtime on their DVRs are not? That seems like a bizarre distinction. If the rationale for downloading/copying is simply to watch it at your own convenience OR fast forward through the commercials that seems like a"fair use" under the copyright law. Re-selling those copies of course is strictly out but lending it to a friend becomes more of a question. "Intent" should matter.
As for music....when I was a kid I had a reel-to-reel tape recorder and recorded whatever I wanted off the radio. I would rather have root canal than listen to today's "music" so don't go by me on that one.
