Thread: Fair Use?
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Old 06-16-2010, 11:36 PM   #56
HamsterRage
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post
Are you serious or are you just baiting me?

When you buy a second hand book, ownership of the book is transferred from the previous owner to you. Nothing illegal or unethical has occurred unless the previous owner retained a copy of the book. In that case, if you were unaware the previous owner had retained a copy, then the previous owner is the thief. If you were aware of it, then you become an accessory to the crime (yes, stealing is a crime).
I don't think calling copyright infringement "stealing" is productive. It's inaccurate and provocative and it sidetracks the discussion. It's a crime all on its own and doesn't need to be equated to stealing to make it bad. You might as well call libel "stealing" because it robs someone of their good reputation. Riding on the bus without paying is probably trespassing or violation of some specific local public transit bylaw - but you won't be charged with theft.

I think that's why you feel like you're being baited. You're insisting that copyright infringement is stealing, but "stealing" has a very specific legal definition that simply doesn't include copyright infringement. I suspect that what you mean is simply that copyright infringement is illegal and is not victimless. I'd be willing to stipulate to that just so the discussion can get back on track.

Last edited by HamsterRage; 06-16-2010 at 11:44 PM.
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