Quote:
Originally Posted by pwalker8
Copyright isn't a right, it's a government granted monopoly, a privilege if you will, that can be taken away or modified at the whim of the government. Sometimes authors forget this, and forget that copyright is basically a compromise between two parties, the author and the readership.
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As you say... and in that light, the readership must be aware of the limitations placed upon them, which can also be taken away by the government. Copyright is a two-way street, not just a "limited privilege" granted an author, but a set of rules for the consumer to abide by as well.
Consumers don't have the right to act like thieves and violate an author's copyright when a law
created and enforced by the government doesn't agree with them. They are expected to respect and accept copyright, and to treat authors using copyright with the respect and honesty they deserve (since they also have the free alternative to
walk away and not read the author's works). And they are expected to
challenge their government over unacceptable laws... not to beat up on artists because the laws are unsatisfying.