files reviews

[Mouseferatu]

Actually, as I understand it, copyright violations are considered theft--of intellectual property.

I know that if I ever personally catch someone with an illegal copy of one of my books, I'll treat them just as if they'd stolen from me--which, in a way, they have, especially on books where I get royalties--no matter what the dictionary definition may be.

And yes, my treatment of thieves involves a baseball bat or a tire iron...

 

[Dahak]

reviews are meant to be done by people who 'own' the product. TAke that in whatever aspect you mean. The whole point of a review is that you took the product read it over and came to a conclusion on what the product was like. that's all a review is.

I don't care if you got the product in hardback, downloaded it, had it drawn up on tea leaves, or sent to you via Morse code. A review is a review.

I have to agree with this. I'm only concerned with the clarity and accuracy of a review, not the purchasing ethics of the reviewer.

The only significant negative aspect from a potential purchaser's (meaning the review reader's) point of view is that the downloaded copy the reviewer used could have been scanned from a playtest, rough draft, or similar beta. In such a case, the review will most certainly be inaccurate, and an unfair representation of the final product.

 

[Leopold]

I have to agree with this. I'm only concerned with the clarity and accuracy of a review, not the purchasing ethics of the reviewer.

The only significant negative aspect from a potential purchaser's (meaning the review reader's) point of view is that the downloaded copy the reviewer used could have been scanned from a playtest, rough draft, or similar beta. In such a case, the review will most certainly be inaccurate, and an unfair representation of the final product.

we are not arguing about reviews so far..people here are arguing about ethics..and reviews and ethics really don't go hand in hand. When you review a product we don't ask where you bought it, what store, and what reseller, we simply want to know just what you have to say about it.

 

[jaerdaph]

@jaerdaph
You should learn your own language a little better, what he's doing is obviously illegal, but it's not theft!

So what's your point? Everything in the definition of theft you posted applies to this situation.

 

[Cergorach]

So what's your point? Everything in the definition of theft you posted applies to this situation.

What exactly of the

<snip>
every part of the property stolen must be removed
<snip>

did you not understand?

Oh, some people might consider it theft, but then the dictionary needs to be updated... Or they could be wrong...
By the law it's copyright infringement, but then again, i could be wrong...

Btw, what is it with people that express themselfes without resorting to violence, especialy over something as trivial as copyright infringement? If your in this business to earn money your in the wrong business. If you consider people that copy your work scum of the earth, then you haven't worked at MacDonalds yet, now have you...

 

[Grazzt]

Re: Re: files reviews

Whoever did it has broken international laws, and so have you by downloading them.

Actually just d-loading a pirated copy may not be breaking the law. Using it or looking at it would be. But just downloading it might not be. Why? Well- try this:

I believe it was late last year Microsoft attempted to press charges against some guys that had pirated copies of MS Office by d-loading them from a warez site. Well, the case was ruled to not be piracy/theft because the accused had NOT used the product in any way nor had they given the product to anyone else to use. All they did was d-load it.

Now- I am not a lawyer, I am a network consult (thus I follow the tech news).....so, take what I just said however ya want.

I myself do not condone piracy at all. I used to play music for a living and I know what it is like to scrape by and crap like that. I wouldve been most unhappy had someone been stealing our CDs we released. So- software, music, game books, etc. You should always pay for it regardless of what it is. And I don't think reviews should be given from a product not purchased or obtained legally. (Now I can climb off my soapbox )

 

[Ranger REG]

Re: Re: Re: files reviews

Actually just d-loading a pirated copy may not be breaking the law. Using it or looking at it would be. But just downloading it might not be. Why? Well- try this:

I believe it was late last year Microsoft attempted to press charges against some guys that had pirated copies of MS Office by d-loading them from a warez site. Well, the case was ruled to not be piracy/theft because the accused had NOT used the product in any way nor had they given the product to anyone else to use. All they did was d-load it.

So, possession of a pirated copy is not illegal, but use of pirated copy is?

Microsoft should've waited until they caught him in the act of using the pirated copy or distributing it, like say on alt.binaries.e-book.rpg newsgroup?

(No, I have not d-loaded from said newsgroup. Honest.)

 

[Leopold]

Re: Re: Re: Re: files reviews

So, possession of a pirated copy is not illegal, but use of pirated copy is?

Microsoft should've waited until they caught him in the act of using the pirated copy or distributing it, like say on alt.binaries.e-book.rpg newsgroup?

(No, I have not d-loaded from said newsgroup. Honest.)

that's the difference between THINKING of doing a crime and DOING a crime. that's where they get you for ATTEMPT instead of the actual crime. Since we don't live in the world of Minority Report, thinking of doing a crime is still technically legal (still wrong but legal) nonetheless.

 

[jaerdaph]

What exactly of the

did you not understand?

Oh, some people might consider it theft, but then the dictionary needs to be updated... Or they could be wrong...
By the law it's copyright infringement, but then again, i could be wrong...

Btw, what is it with people that express themselfes without resorting to violence, especialy over something as trivial as copyright infringement? If your in this business to earn money your in the wrong business. If you consider people that copy your work scum of the earth, then you haven't worked at MacDonalds yet, now have you...

I understood every part of it. It's you who don't seem to understand. You may wish to consult a legal dictionary or textbook and learn a little more about intellectual property law before you post.

I'm not sure what you mean by "violence" - I haven't threatened anyone with physical harm. You may want to go back to that dictionary of yours....

Many people believe that copyright infringement is NOT trivial. It's sad that you think the authors and publishers of d20 material are somehow on the corporate size of McDonalds, and therefore its okay to take their intellectual property and distribute it. The fact that you think these people should work for free or little money to satisfy your need for what are essentially luxury items is even worse.

Anyhow, this "discussion" really isn't worth the effort anymore.

 

[jaerdaph]

Re: Re: Re: files reviews

Actually just d-loading a pirated copy may not be breaking the law. Using it or looking at it would be. But just downloading it might not be.

You are probably right, Scott. Poor choice of words on my part. I should have said "downloaded and read"

But since you would have to actually look at the downloaded copy to write a review, to use the example that started this thread, the law is broken and this point becomes moot.