Hi -- Patent and copyright, which protect intellectual property, have been part of US law since the founding of the United States. Section eight of the Constitution reads:
"The Congress shall have Power ..... To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;" In other words, the purpose of intellectual property law is to encourage people (authors, composers, inventors) to create intellectual property: to write, compose and invent. When you decide to be a "pirate", you have decided to break a law or laws that have been agreed upon by the society in which you live. If you don't like the laws, your ethical choices are: Engage publicly in civil disobedience, knowing the consequences; or Work to change the laws. Anything else is, basically, cheating, certainly illegal, and unethical. Calling what you do "piracy" may make it sound romantic, dashing or daring, but really it's just petty and greedy. If you don't like intellectual property laws, start writing to your congresspeople, to the newspapers, organize or join a citizens lobby, and work to get the laws changed. But don't just say that the laws don't apply to you. My two cents, --Beth Kevles [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner. NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the GMAIL one if you would like me to reply. _______________________________________________ gnu-misc-discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
