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Originally Posted by HansTWN
I don't know why you should bring parody into this. Parody turns the original work into something completely different, a separate work of art (if it is well done). And may actually help the owner of the original work because the parody works like an advertisement. Free publicity.
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It's still "taking" without permission. Using the characters and settings of the original to tell a new story. Ethically, no different from creating a sequel, which is considered a violation of copyright.
Translations also add something, aren't a direct copy, but aren't allowed w/o permission.
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Copying a file ads nothing.
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It also works as free advertising, especially if the copy isn't competing with purchased files. Plenty of people would buy the Harry Potter books in ebook format. Instead, they have bootleg digital versions... and paid print versions.
Copies can also be arranged in a set, in a way that creates a new meaning that wasn't possible in the original context. Fanmixes--collections of songs around a single theme--are an example of this. An anthology of stories can be made to showcase an idea or ethic; this is common in print literature, and is just as applicable to the ebook world.
A set of short stories "where the villain wins" or "wherein buildings are destroyed by acid" or "wherein lost children save the day" can change the way the reader relates to any of the stories in the collection; putting them together gives a context that was lacking in their original sources.
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You try to claim the moral high ground, "those who charge too much should be punished. Apple charges obscene prices, so what have you done to put them out of business? Don't companies have costs? Wages, rent, interest, ads, etc? What is a fair profit? How do you know what is fair?
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Exactly what is "fair" depends on individual circumstances.
What is *not* fair:
- The RIAA using copyright law as a tool for intimidation, and insisting that they don't have to prove any infringement actually took place,
- False DMCA reports that go unchallenged,
- Amazon stealing content from thousands of Kindles because they illegally sold content they didn't have the rights to sell,
- Ebook publishers who put false copyright info in their books ("no part of this book may be reproduced without permission" in public domain works),
- Software publishers who claim you are "licensing" programs that are legally purchased.
Copyright law should be used to enhance the creative works available to the public by protecting the interests of artists, not the people who make money marketing their works.