files reviews

[Grazzt]

Re: Re: Re: Re: files reviews

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.

True. So my post was pointless. Well more or less.

Anyway- like I said, I am not a lawyer, but I do follow the pirating crap in the software industry and found that case to be most interesting. Speaking of.....there was a similar case between Adobe (I think) and some guys. They couldn't prosecute them because of the very same reasons. Weird huh?

Apparently it does work like thinking about a crime. I can sit and think about doing something illegal all day and nothing will happen to me....until I actually do the crime. And speaking of that....a few of my friends are here. We gotta run to the store and pick up a couple of ski masks and pistols. Gotta go to work later today.

 

[jaerdaph]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: files reviews

True. So my post was pointless. Well more or less.

Sorry - I didn't intend to imply that it wasn't interesting and informative nonetheless

 

[jaerdaph]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: files reviews

Apparently it does work like thinking about a crime. I can sit and think about doing something illegal all day and nothing will happen to me....until I actually do the crime. And speaking of that....a few of my friends are here. We gotta run to the store and pick up a couple of ski masks and pistols. Gotta go to work later today.

The problem is the law needs to be better defined for the digital age. If I were to go into my local RPG store, grab a copy of the Slayer's Guide to Hobgoblins, stick it in my bag and walk out of the store without paying for it, and then stick it away somewhere - never read it, never let anyone else read it, and never sell it to anyone, have I committed a crime? Yes. And if you think about it, downloading a pirated digital version of the SG2HG (even if you never use it or redistribute it) isn't really different.

Anyhow, any anger in my earlier posts comes from a reaction to the "I work at McDonalds and can't afford it so I'll just download an illegally scanned copy anyway" attitude. To me it's no better than shoplifting, regardless of what the "legal" status is, and I will continue to speak out against it when I see it.

And just so people don't think I'm a completely cold hearted, if you work in McDonalds without insurance and have a sick child at home and I ever see you stealing needed medicine or food, I promise not to be the one to say anything, even though your actions are illegal and wrong. But a luxury item like an RPG product? Give me a break!

 

[Grazzt]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: files reviews

Sorry - I didn't intend to imply that it wasn't interesting and informative nonetheless

Nah- I know dude. Just being me today.

 

[2WS-Steve]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: files reviews

The problem is the law needs to be better defined for the digital age. If I were to go into my local RPG store, grab a copy of the Slayer's Guide to Hobgoblins, stick it in my bag and walk out of the store without paying for it, and then stick it away somewhere - never read it, never let anyone else read it, and never sell it to anyone, have I committed a crime? Yes. And if you think about it, downloading a pirated digital version of the SG2HG (even if you never use it or redistribute it) isn't really different.

Technically, I think a better analogy would be walking into the store with a pocket photocopier, photocopying the whole thing, then sneaking out. I take it that would be illegal too, just not the exact same crime as shoplifting.

 

[Talaysen]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: files reviews

Technically, I think a better analogy would be walking into the store with a pocket photocopier, photocopying the whole thing, then sneaking out. I take it that would be illegal too, just not the exact same crime as shoplifting.

This is a complete tangent, but...

How on Earth would you fit a photocopier into your pocket?



Actually, in all seriousness, there's a device now that's about the size of a fountain pen or magic marker and can store X lines of text - I think the exact number of lines varies from model to model. I think one of the models in question can even store some graphics now. So I can see where this would be a concern.

 

[Jim Butler]

It might be better in Meta?
and it might be better deleted/closed?

Perhaps some publisher are aware of the scanned copy of their books, and that some of their readers use them to decide if they should buy the book or not based on these.

Would you (and Morrus) accept that someone who has read such a copy (and not bought the book) made a review of it based on the copy?

Do you think it would screw the result (and finally not being helpful to customers) because some books are scanned and some are not?Other reasons?

Others have already commented on the legal and ethical dilemmas created by your post, but here's one from my point of view.

I'd prefer to have my products reviewed in the manner in which they are sold. Thus, reviewing a scanned version of a printed product is less useful from my standpoint than one that is reviewed based on having the printed product in front of them.

Having a reviewer look at a product in a form outside of the publisher's control isn't a fair review (since the publisher had no quality control in ther creation of the scan and would have provided more electronic functions in an electronic product).