It is apparently easy for scientists who don't derive a salary from
sales of their creative works to dismiss the concerns of those who do
derive their salary from such sales.
If you make an unauthorized download of my work for free, the work may
still be available on whatever Web site -- probably unauthorized itself
-- for others to likewise download. What is missing is INCOME THAT I
SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED from a legitimate sale of that item. That is still
theft, no different from snatching cigars from a store, and no amount of
rationalization will change that.
If you want to give away your money, feel free to do so. But I demand
you respect my right to decide when or when not to give away mine.
Dave
Alexey Voinov wrote:
There is a huge difference between downloading an image or paper from a
web site and stealing a box of cigars from a shop.
1. Cigars are in a shop and for sale. There is a price tag and a clear
procedure for purchasing them.
2. More important, as Jane already noted: When you take that box of
cigars from the shop, they are no longer there. You took them and they
are gone for anybody else to use. With files it does not matter how many
downloads occurred - the files are still there nice and intact for
others to use. Information does not get destroyed when it's used. That's
the beauty of information.
--
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David M. Lawrence | Home: (804) 559-9786
7471 Brook Way Court | Fax: (804) 559-9787
Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | Email: d...@fuzzo.com
USA | http: http://fuzzo.com
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"We have met the enemy and he is us." -- Pogo
"No trespassing
4/17 of a haiku" -- Richard Brautigan
