Quote:
Originally Posted by DaleDe
While it can be argued that legally copyright infringement is not theft that is the term that matches most of the impact but I think the idea mentioned earlier that this is really forgery captures the idea better.
All those who argue that copyright stealing is ok can use the same exact arguments that stealing someone identity is also ok for the same reasons. Using someones credit card number does not deny them the credit card which they still have. Sometimes we don't have the technically correct words in our language to define some illegal actions but that doesn't make the actions ok.
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I can't agree with that. Theft isn't the closest way to define copyright infringement AND there is a completely proper and technical term. I just used it:
copyright infringement.
Of course, most people in favor of strong copyright laws know, on some level, that there's no way you can throw anyone up in arms in support of them with the term "copyright infringement". So let's go for much more loaded words. "Theft" is nice, and so is "piracy". That'll get people attention, never mind we're not actually talking about the same thing at all.
As for your analogies, debunking time!
- Stealing someone ID. Although it does sound the same (ID/Idea), it's so different I don't really understand how someone could confuse them. Your id is your own; it's as unique as you are. Furthermore, if somebody does steal your
identity, it probably is to do something nefarious which can only be bad news for you.
- The credit card analogy? Another (purposely?) bad one. There can only be two reasons for someone to use your credit card number. The first is for validation, i.e. id verification purposes. In that case, see above.
The second is to pay for something, we're talking about theft (of money). In both cases, the number isn't really what is stolen, simply because that number isn't an idea in any acceptation of the term, it's a medium of exchange.
Finally I'll state, again, one very important point. If you want to keep an idea your property, don't tell it to anyone. The moment you do, it stops being your property to become that of the community (I use that word with the largest possible meaning).
Copyright does not grant you property of the idea you produced!
Nothing can if you want it to spread. And if you intend to make a livelihood out of it (the "idea" in that case being a book, or a song, or whatever) you want it to spread. As much as possible.
The only thing copyright does grant you (under current laws) are the exclusive rights to distribution.