Quote:
Originally Posted by LlamaZorz
I personally believe that information should be free for those who want it. Libraries were created in support for this. Information should not be held and restricted by the wealthy and trying to do so is oppression.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with pirating a book, just like any other true intellectual. Its similar but relate able situation is to that in universities. Lets say a student sits in on a class in which he has not registered to take. Implying that he has not paid to take the class. I have never met a professor who will kick a student out of a lecture, who was not registered. The reason being, is they the professors love to spread information.
I feel pirating a book is not actual theft mainly because the book could have been rented or read at a Library.
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One of my NY resolutions was to stay out of pointless debates about piracy but.......
What a load of hogwash!
Firstly, the old "information wants to be free" argument is getting tiresome. There is a big difference between people wishing to learn, seeking information to better themselves or their society or whatever and someone wanting to read the latest best seller without paying for it. I'm all for free education. It is one the great things about Australia.(though it is no longer totally free but only highly subsidised.)
If you don't want to pay for what you read then go to the library. Your rationlisation that there is no difference between copyright infringement and library lending is utter BS and you know it. Once you start turning up to work and telling your boss you don't want to be paid then I might take your argument seriously.
As for pirating..........
Some people want free stuff. Simple. All the rationalisations in the world wont change that and nothing any author or publisher does will stop it.
Some others have legitimate concerns about DRM, pricing, geo-restrictions etc and use this to justify pirating. Maybe when all that stuff changes and goes away they will decide to pay or maybe they will have become used to free stuff and choose not to pay. That is when their character will be tested and the truth behind their claims will come to the fore. Again, nothing any author or publisher does will change it.
Then there are the rest who will pay for what they want. The authors and publishers will continue to add in the "costs of piracy"(for want of a better term) and these people will continue to subsidise those who want free stuff. That is the way it is with any industry. The payers pay a premium to cover what the thieves steal.(copyright infringers in this case...not thieves)
My 2 cents anyway.
Cheers,
PKFFW