Miscellaneous > Intellectual Property & Law
Does this make me a criminal?
Laukev7:
I agree that theft is not the correct legal term for copying, but it's incorrect to say that it only refers to taking someone's possession. That was my point. Words only carry the meaning we give to them.
Zombie9920:
I don't think that downloading a digital media file is stealing. It isn't like you are sticking somebodies' DVD disc(one they paid for) in your pocket and leaving with it.
Digital media files are nothing more than a copy of original work. When you download a digital media file you are obtaining a copy, you aren't taking the original. When you download a file the computer you are downloading it from is simply giving you a copy, the computer you are downloading from isn't losing the file(it doesn't get deleted from the file server computer).
To me, stealing is taking something from somebody and leaving them without the item you took.
In reply to Xeens' asking if it makes him a criminal. Not at all man, it isn't like you hurt anyone by downloading that movie. Besides, you have paid $$$ to see the movie so you should have the right to be able to see it whenever you want(so you can catch parts that you may've missed). ;P
[ November 02, 2003: Message edited by: Viper ]
mobrien_12:
quote:Originally posted by Laukev7:
For the last time, movies / music / paintings are NOT information. They are pieces of art. Don't compare apples and oranges.
--- End quote ---
Art is a subset of information.
mobrien_12:
quote:
I downloaded it to watch it again sometime because I think its not fair that I have to wait half a year or so before it's on DVD.
--- End quote ---
I'm not going to judge you, but since this is a very interesting discussion of ethics, may I offer a question in hopes of stimulating this discussion?
Will you buy the DVD when it is released (if you intend to keep the copy you downloaded) or rent it at least once (if you intend to watch your downloaded copy only once or twice within a 24 hour period and then delete it)?
[ November 02, 2003: Message edited by: M. O'Brien ]
mobrien_12:
quote:Originally posted by Laukev7:
Stealing an idea does not deprive anyone from his idea.
--- End quote ---
I'd like to comment on this. "Stealing" an idea is really a form of plagurism. When you use an original idea, without offering due credit to the originator of that idea, you deprive someone of credit, honor, reputation, and sometimes money.
I'm a scientist. I want people to take my ideas and use them! The qualifier is, they should footnote my work. The more people use and footnote my work, the better my reputation becomes. This provides me with job opportunities, opportunities at promotions, and better chances of getting grants.
I agree "stealing an idea" as it is called in the vernacular, does not deprive the original contributor of the idea. However, it does deprive him or her of other things. You don't really steal the idea as much as you steal credit for the idea.
Unless we are talking about patents, when everything gets more complicated...
[ November 02, 2003: Message edited by: M. O'Brien ]
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