Quote:
Originally Posted by doctorow
Your argument is based on the premise that the real value of the downloaded item is its face value. That, I believe, is wrong. The typical downloader is not the person who would spend $1,000 on a piece of software. If he gets caught breaking the law, even if the fine is not a multiple of the face value of the software he downloaded, in no way would he profit from his actions.
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The dishonest person has gained the use of the item that the honest person pays $1000 for. I really don't see how you can possibly say that they haven't gained $1000-worth of goods. It's like saying that the bus company hasn't really lost anything if someone doesn't pay their fare. In both cases the dishonest person is a leech on the back of the honest purchaser of the goods or services, without whom the product or service wouldn't exist.