Quote:
Originally Posted by Nate the great
You cannot argue, in the general case, that all files have value that will be diminished if illicitly copied becuase value can only be shown in the individual case. In the general case this is not true.
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Let me put it in very simple terms. Let us say you wrote a great book. You can expect to sell 1 million copies at 10 bucks each. So that file with the book is worth 10 million dollars at the beginning. Now I get hold of the file. I distribute it for free on the internet and everybody decides to download for free and not to buy. The value of that file just dropped from 10 million to ZERO. And
only because of what
I did to you. Morally you just stole 10 million dollars and distributed the proceeds to darknet users -- maybe you will be out in 40 years because you didn't keep any money for yourself? That would be justice.
Another example. The government of the country you live in decides tomorrow that all money will become worthless and they will distribute new money. Have they hurt you? Not according to you, you still have the old money, just as before. Nobody has physically taken anything away from you. And you may save on years of buying toilet paper.
A third example. Let us say you and I work together. You have a great idea. You tell me about it. I go to our boss and get a raise and a promotion. No problem, you still have the original idea on that hard disk in your head! No harm done.
Sorry, the argument "they still have the original file" therefore no crime has been committed, no wrong has been done, just blows my mind.