Quote:
Originally Posted by kennyc
I'm speaking in universal terms.
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It seems to me that you (& others) who use
theft to describe copyright infringement are seeking to redefine theft.
Is copyright infringement
just as wrong as theft of a physical object?
I don't believe it is. And so it is useful and proper to have a separate word/phrase for the action. Deliberate blurring of the difference between the two acts is wrong.
Of course, we could just use theft as a general word for a wrong action:
Stealing an object is theft.
Copying an ebook is theft. (of the potential income)
Breaking a window is theft. (of the utility of the window)
Identity theft is theft. (of the credulity of others?)
Breaking the speed limit is theft. (of the safety of others)
Arson is theft. (of the burnt property)
Murder is theft. (of the life cut short)
But, IMO, having different words for different wrong actions is useful. We shouldn't mix them up needlessly.