Comics piracy crackdown

[FourOhFour]

Originally Posted by rogue_librarian

Sorry I have to disagree again: "theft" involves the taking of a physical object in such a way that the original owner no longer has it. If you want indeed call it what it is "copyright infringement" would fit the bill nicely. Which is a civil offense, by the way, in most cases.

But if I steal cable, it's called theft of service.

It's theft. Calling it anything else is just trying to make one's self feel better.

[rogue_librarian]

Originally Posted by FourOhFour

But if I steal cable, it's called theft of service.

Not in my jurisdiction or, for that matter, my legal training.

It's theft. Calling it anything else is just trying to make one's self feel better.

It's copyright violation. Calling it anything else (theft, piracy, any other crime) is trying to make it sound worse than it is, namely make a criminal offense out of a civil violation. I think the differences are pronounced enough to warrant separate terms and, in law, separate treatment (and we have the latter, at least).

I also know that this all requires a moderate bit of abstract thinking and is, perhaps for that reason alone, something of an uphill battle; probably a lost cause.

People have been encouraged to consider "theft of intellectual property" a crime for quite some time, and many now do so without thinking. I still reserve the right to call them useful idiots; see above.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by FourOhFour

But if I steal cable, it's called theft of service.

It's theft. Calling it anything else is just trying to make one's self feel better.

IT IS MIND-RAPE!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE TAKING PLEASURE FROM PEOPLE'S THOUGHTS WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Iphinome]

Originally Posted by FourOhFour

But if I steal cable, it's called theft of service.

It's theft. Calling it anything else is just trying to make one's self feel better.

No calling it theft is inflammatory you are attempting to re-frame the argument with loaded terms rather than discuss the merits. Calling infringement theft is like calling someone who is pro-life calling someone who's pro-choice a baby killer. The word used in the law is infringement not theft. Or as the above suggestion you could try copyright violation it isn't particularly nasty but personally since the law (in the US) refers to infringement it should probably be considered the most neutral term.

If we're going to talk about the actions people take regarding or disregarding copyright laws let's try to do it without throwing around a word that's just going to piss a lot of people off. I probably know words that will make you angry too. is that what you want this to devolve into?

[Iphinome]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

IT IS MIND-RAPE!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE TAKING PLEASURE FROM PEOPLE'S THOUGHTS WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhhh you used an idea that spent time in my brain and didn't even call me the next day!

[AnemicOak]

Kind of OT, but where can one legally buy digital versions of comics (& Manga)? Or can't you?

[rogue_librarian]

Marvel has an Ipad app, I think. Not sure there's much else, comics aren't my thing usually.

[mr ploppy]

There's clickwheel, but there isn't much there.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

There's clickwheel, but there isn't much there.

Not much at HTMLComics either.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Not much at HTMLComics either.

From what I've read of it, it wasn't up to much anyway. Reading comics in a web browser? Ugh.

[Freeshadow]

@rogue librarian:
I completely agree with your points about the misuse of legal terminology:
my fav method to get people referring to copyright delicts as piracy is to ask then, if they can explain the difference between piracy and barattry to me - this usually helps.

[kennyc]

I don't care about legal terminalogy, most of it is artificial anyway, defined in a way that it it only applicable in the law.

What I care about is what people do an how it affects others. That's why taking something without permission is theft. Pure and simple. No one needs legal definitions or special definitions or terminology to look at the situation and see if for what it is -- theft.

[Guns4Hire]

Well some don't care legally for copyright protection, they feel its artificial (as well). At least thats how I interrupt a lot of their arguments.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Guns4Hire

Well some don't care legally for copyright protection, they feel its artificial (as well). At least thats how I interrupt a lot of their arguments.

Yep, I know....

And certainly it needs much change to get it up to date with the digital age...

[Iphinome]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I don't care about legal terminalogy, most of it is artificial anyway, defined in a way that it it only applicable in the law.

What I care about is what people do an how it affects others. That's why taking something without permission is theft. Pure and simple. No one needs legal definitions or special definitions or terminology to look at the situation and see if for what it is -- theft.

Nothing is being taken, its being copied, to restrict copying is artificial. Pure and simple. Such a system has advantages and disadvantages. I could call taking my right to copy theft or i can call it rape I could probably find a way to call it murder. I'd rather argue why copyright laws as they stand are a problem and why patents need some reform (such as a public interest buyout fee).

You just sit and call people thieves. If you have something to say about copyright use a neutral term and say it because all you're doing right now is starting fights. I picture you sitting there grinning and laughing that you get a chance to fan the flames and piss people off while adding nothing tot he debate. And hey here's a bonus, infringement is descriptive, it doesn't get confused with embezzlement or shoplifting or larceny or fraud.