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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Majoru Oakheart" data-source="post: 4697408" data-attributes="member: 5143">By law, I agree.  Whether that SHOULD be the case, we all have our own opinion on.  I don't think so.I hate to bring this topic back up again, but I don't believe I'm better than you.  I don't think art isn't important.  I think it needs to be around to explore the human condition to grow as a society and as individuals.  I'm no good at it, otherwise I would love to do it.I think this needs to be clear for anyone reading this thread.  Please, go out there, think creatively.  Do it because I can't.  But don't do it for self centered motive like turning a million dollar profit and living in a nice house.  Do it because you want to add to society.  Please don't get hung up on "ownership", "rights", and profit.Don't be the guy suing the 80 year old grandma who doesn't own a computer for downloading a 20 dollar movie because the first 300 million wasn't enough profit for you while claiming anyone who copies your work is self-centered and greedy.Maybe, maybe not.  This is where the complicated part comes in.  What counts as an idea that deserves payment and for how long?Say copyright laws were in effect as far back as the stone age.  The guy who invented the wheel copyrights it and forces anyone who makes round things that roll pay him a fee.  It becomes so useful that nearly everyone wants it.  So, the licensing fees go up.How many products would not have gotten made in today's society if that were the case?  How many companies couldn't have afforded to make some of the things we now hold as basic luxuries due to the licensing fees?Now, imagine if this continues in the future.  Who knows what we are creating today that might become the most basic building block of all technology in the future.  And whatever company comes up with it will have a stranglehold on the entire world.  That's what I'm hoping doesn't happen.I'm actually surprised to hear such a dissenting point of view on these boards.  Nearly everyone I know agrees with me(I'm not saying this to put anyone else's opinions down, I'm just saying that I figured the position was near universally held due to my experiences).I was just listening to a podcast of TWiT(This Week in Tech) the other day and the entire panel of tech guys there agreed that something needed to be done about the copyright laws in the entire world because they weren't working.  Most of them suggested a solution that would favor copyright holders making money in a way other than selling their goods, and actually capitalizing on the fact that everyone can get their products for free instead of criminalizing it.Yeah, I currently do.  I currently download nearly everything I can find.However, at the same time: -I watch every movie I find interesting within the week it comes out in the theaters.  If it's really good then 2 or 3 times.-I've bought a copy of EVERY 3e and 3.5e product WOTC has made AND bought a copy of every 4e book they've made.-My favorite band is Barenaked Ladies.  I've bought every album they've ever produced.  Some in both mp3 and physical forms(Mostly because they sold their MP3s on a USB stick and I felt the stick still had value.  The rest was a donation to the band)But I've also downloaded mp3 of all their albums to put on my iPhone.  I've downloaded a copy of all the WOTC books in PDF format(which is what I answered in the poll), and I download my favorite movies when I feel like watching them.I hope I haven't crossed the line again on this subject.  It really is an interesting subject and I feel there should be a way to discuss it without getting political.  If this is still crossing the line, let me know and I'll just stop talking.  I'm just really enjoying this conversation.</blockquote>

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