Quote:
Originally Posted by sbroome
I'm not sure that people see digital theft as actual theft because of the lack of physical goods.
|
Or perhaps it's because of the lack of theft. Copyright infringement is
copying something to which you lack the
rights. Even in terms of physical goods, a knock-off Timex is not a stolen Timex. Attempts to equate file-sharing with theft are the kind of dishonest, bad-faith tactics consumers have come to expect from media industries. These tactics, including hobbling products with sanctioned malware (DRM), only promote disrespect for copyright.
The point is not whether "file-sharing bad" or "file-sharing good," but what are realistic steps to take to minimize file-sharing and full-blown counterfeiting/piracy, and more generally allow rights-owners to monetize their works more fully. Rights-owners don't have much control over pirates; they would be much better advised to address their own sales practices and their relationship with consumers. Throwing good money after bad with ineffective DRM that devalues your product and lobbying that further damages your reputation is not the answer.