tedd wrote:
At 10:26 PM +0100 7/17/07, Stut wrote:
Ok, this is really simple. Stealing is theft and theft is stealing.
Infringing copyright is neither.
Then, we disagree.
I am always surprised as to how simple wrongful acts can be
diminished with spin. We live in a world of political correctness,
to which we all object, but whenever we can, we add our own spin to
the layers of complexities around us.
I, for one, just call theft what it is.
There is a very very important difference. Stealing/theft is a
criminal offence. Copyright infringement is not. For you to be
prosecuted for copyright infringement the injured party must bring a
civil case.
Again, diction. Infringement is defined as the activity of breaking
law. I don't care if you face criminal court, or civil court, or both
(remember OJ), it's still a crime. And, it's a crime based upon the
act taking something that is not yours (i.e. stealing*).
This is a fundamental difference. The reason everyone thinks the
terms theft and stealing cover it is because, as I've previously
asserted, bodies like the MPAA and RIAA keep referring to it as
such. Just because they do that doesn't make it any more accurate.
And just because they do, doesn't make it any less accurate either. I
don't care if Hitler agreed with me, there is a fundamental wrongful
act of taking something that is not yours regardless of what you, and
others, may call it.
As I see it, one (not all) of the reasons to call it something else
is to make the act more palatable for those who practice it. But, A
rose by any other name...
It's also clear that we are not going to agree, and we both have
better things to do, so let's let it drop and accept that we have
differing opinions on this. Besides, you can't be right ALL the time.
:-)
Cheers,
tedd
* We could change the term "stealing" to "lifetime borrowing" -- that
would probably work for today's revisionist.
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