On Monday 06 July 2009, KM wrote: > steve wrote: > > Pravin Dhayfule wrote: > >> <...snip...> > >> Trademark Removal etc are all Programmer Level steps. I am talking from > >> a perspective of Sharing the OS with a neighbor to install on his/her > >> system as it is received..... Will it be piracy? > > > > I think there are a few basic things that you need to understand /before/ > > you understand the answers to your questions: > > > > a. Unlike the proprietary world, FOSS does not distinguish between > > developer, user and distributor. Each person receiving FOSS software, has > > the right to assume any or all of the three roles. > > There is no 'END USER' (for an ELUA to exist). So from that > > perspective, you are a distributor if you share something (using a CD, > > online, pen-drive ...or any media). > > > > b. Piracy is the practice of hijacking a naval vessel and plundering it. > > Software Piracy is a silly nonsensical term. Software related violations > > include things like copyright violation, trademark infringement and > > unfortunately patent violations ...etc. > > True! I agree, 'software piracy' is a hilarious misnomer.
It is not hilarious. Copyright violations is a CRIMINAL offence and is tantamount to theft, piracy, etc. The penalties imposed by the US courts makes theft, piracy etc seem a lot less offensive, even a better alternative. -- Rgds JTD -- http://mm.glug-bom.org/mailman/listinfo/linuxers
