Quote:
Originally Posted by cmdahler
Semantics. If you get caught, you can get prosecuted period, because you are engaged in illegal activity. That is the salient fact. Call it what you will, there is no fundamental, philosophical difference between walking into B&N and shoplifting out a book and downloading a torrent. Arguing anything else is just rationalizing an attempt to circumvent the rules of society for your own convenience (i.e., you [in general, not you in particular] are a cheap bastard and just want a free book).
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No, I'm afraid it's not just a matter of semantics. I never said that I couldn't get prosecuted if I were to be caught, I said that I couldn't get prosecuted for THEFT.
Even under your NET Act of 1997, you would still be being prosecuted for COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, albeit under criminal jurisprudence not civil, but not prosecuted for theft. And that is because there IS a fundamental difference between the two. The act specifically distinguishes between infringement, counterfeiting and trafficking.
I realise you may not like it, but copyright infringement is not theft. End of story.
[In general] I may or may not be a cheap bastard
but thats a whole different story.