Quote:
Originally Posted by TGS
Do we really think that unauthorized downloading and distribution of digital material is anything like commandeering a ship by the use of force? If we don't why do we insist on using the same word for the activity? It makes me wonder what rhetorical purpose it serves, and whose interest that rhetorical purpose promotes. It is of course a metaphor, but we all seem to be buying into this metaphor, and the metaphors we choose matter.
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I'll let you take a guess as to whose interests such terminology serves. It shouldn't be hard to figure out though. The exact same people that want you to think "copyright infringement" is "theft".
Such intentional mis-use of terminology is on purpose. Associating copyright infringement with "piracy" and "theft" serves their goals. It's unfortunate that many people fall for the rhetoric.