🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <19089016:24:58KRW1@lehigh.bitnet> KRW1@Lehigh writes:
>This wouldn't be much of a discussion if it weren't for all those people
>trying to rationalize the illegal copying of software.  The intent of
>the copyright law is clear enough to everyone else.
>
>Why do people pirate software?  Ignorance or thievery.  Don't delude
>yourself by thinking it's anything else.
>

It is also illegal to drive faster than 55 mph.  Yet everyone drives at
80 mph around here.  If you drive 55, you will probably be creamed, or
severely flamed (ie. given the finger).

When a law is unenforceable, and blatantly violated by the public at large
then it is a bad law, and should be eliminated.  

Let's face it - it does no good to argue about the right and wrongness of
copying software.  People do it because the current software copyright and
licensing policies are nonsensical, and cannot be enforced.  People also
see the laws as a reflection of greed on the part of the software writers,
and thus feel no remorse in copying and distributing a $500 software
package.  

The people who have been arguing moralistically about violating copyrights
are technically correct under the law, but awfully naive about human nature.
I assume that these people religiously drive at 55 mph where posted.  If not,
then they are in violation of the law.  As criminals, do they have the right
to throw stones at others?

>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Kevin Weiner   Lehigh University Computing Center   (215) 758-3991


-- 
    Al Shing (ashing@cac.washington.edu)