DracoSuave
First Post
Funny, that didn't seem to be a problem when I opened my Christmas presents last year.
If I rely on sales of an item -I- create in order to eat, and your christmas present was a stolen copy of my item, then while Christmas is good for you, it's not so good for me. Your friend basicly stole one person's Christmas for someone else.
That's not cool.
I don't understand this idea that it's somehow inherently wrong to receive things without paying for them. Should we outlaw soup kitchens for giving away food when restaurants are trying to get people to pay for meals? No? How about libraries? I didn't pay for the novel I read last week, I borrowed it from the local library.
In the case of the soup kitchen, someone gave their food or money so that they could provide that free food. In the case of the library, they have permission to lend out materials. The choice was made by the original owners to give it for free. When the original owner -makes- that choice, there's no moral quandry to benefit.
Now, on the other hand, if you had a soup kitchen that got their food by stealing from the farms that grow the food, rather than having it donated or buying it, you might have a more adequate analogy.
I do understand (and agree with) the idea that it's wrong to deprive others of their property without their consent. After all, if you steal my books, I can't read them anymore.
And if you copy someone's intellectual property without their permission, you are taking it upon yourself to take from them the right to decide what is done -with their property.- If someone came into your house and said 'Yes, this is your house, but I want to borrow your couch. And bathroom. Don't worry, it's cool, I'm not renting it out!' then it's not so cool, is it?
You -are- depriving them, depriving them of the ability to profit off the sweat of their own brow. You didn't work for it, don't douche on those who -did.-
If, on the other hand, you sneak into my house while I'm away, make copies of my books, and bring home the copies to read yourself, I might not even notice (unless you broke something or left a book on the wrong shelf).
No, but if you wanted to sell those books because -that's how you feed your kids- you might look at it a different way when your kids look up at you and ask 'Where is food, Daddy?'
Fact is, it's not your right to decide who gets stuff for free. This isn't even Robin Hood country, it's not like you're stealing from evil lords who are taxing innocent peasents to death. You're stealing luxury items to give to people who own computers. This isn't even on the same level.