I think my reference to the Golden Rule, was misinterpreted to eye to
eye
or similar.
It is not what is done or offered should be replicated (referencing
those
who are thrilled to have their work enjoyed, and endless copies
employed).
The analogy would be; if one was poor and starving, they are
more entitled to
steal bread than a wealthy person or one who isn't as
hungry? Theoretical or
moral debate can go on, but the core of it all,
is it is still stealing.
Heart and logic engaged, one would realize that purchases of designed
material are intended for individual use, and one naturally may prefer
to
make a copy to keep their original intact. A kind heart could be
endeared by
someone to make another copy for a friend who cannot afford
the book, etc.
Of course this kind of coffee klatch thing has gone on,
but as I say to my
children, Just because everyone is doing it, doesn't
mean it is right.
The core of it is, whether one is thinking of the source or not, and
whether
they are giving carte blanche to share (rare) or not, it is
still stealing,
as one is taking from another to benefit personally
(perhaps in the most
positive interpretation; to be seen as a nice
person, but still, an agenda
veiled in nice, regardless).
The Golden Rule engages two things: not only justice, but empathy and
consideration. This is what is missing within moral code, and
unfortunately
needs to be regulated by law, initiated by those who have
been harmed. My
point is that if one thought of others as much or more
than oneself, then
much of this would fall to the wayside.
Ultimately, and overly simplified, copyright is to protect the
originator
from the profiteering of another, by renaming/reusing the
work (and portions
in degree) as their own for profit, or using it to
produce items for sale for
profit, etc.
There are those who argue to one extreme about even a working copy being
legal, or even reselling an original item (as you used the original
pattern
and then it is passed on to another to do same, thus the
originator is
shortchanged). The other extremes, we have awareness of.
Even if someone does their work as charity, they have to pay their
expenses,
and not asking for some equity in the purchase and replication
undermines
those fairly need to be compensated for theirs. The Golden
Rule would
include if we are being fair to our fellow authors or
designers. Has this
undervaluing not, in many ways, been a major
contributor to it's decrease?
We are working to share and inspire, but also create value for our
works.
For instance, those who are working for artistic and right
brained creations,
to be valued as much as those of technical left
brained and better paid
jobs. (General categories for simple conveyance
of concepts). Will you pay
your computer tech $100 an hour to mostly
sit and watch your system run, vs.
balk at paying a seamstress $20 an
hour to sew a dress or an artist to paint
a picture? This doesn't even
begin to address in many places, how
compensation would vary if a man
was doing it, vs a woman.
The Golden Rule engages not only the person replicating the publication
for
themselves and/or others, thinking about what they are actually
doing, and
how that affects the author, publisher, bookseller, etc.
That also includes
someone undervaluing their work with a low price, or
giving undefinable
permission so it compromises their peers, which
limits others from
contributing, as perhaps they cannot donate all of
their time and funds for
free (or at a loss).
Some go into situations wondering what they can contribute to the
benefit of
the whole, and most go in thinking about what they can get
out of it. We are
all interconnected, and what goes around, comes
around. I still feel that if
one checks in within, one knows what is
truly appropriate or not, and the
essence of the Golden Rule, is the
singular best concept I can engage to
qualify, what in essence is inate
and constantly in attendance, (but too
frequently ignored).
Best,
Susan Reishus
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