Re: Asimov Site

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Kelli Halliburton wrote in message <8q18h8$1p0o$1@newssvr05-

>What if you could make another Fiero from someone else's just by putting it
>into a machine that would make an exact duplicate? Because this is what
>we're talking about. The simplicity with which software can be copied makes
>it foolish for the same rules to apply as with items that cannot be so
>easily copied.
>
>Yes, technically, Pontiac/GM would have grounds to prosecute, based on
>copyrights of their design. And of course, if there were technologies from
>the Fiero that were being used in current GM products, they could be said
to
>still be selling the technology of the Fiero. Much the same way that MS
Word
>2000 contains elements from MS Word 97, and may in fact contain some code
>from as far back as MS Word 2.0 for DOS.
>
>But if it were as simple to make a copy of a Fiero as simply putting it in
a
>machine and pressing a button, and yet Pontiac still chose to discontinue
>making them, and people still wanted them, then wouldn't Pontiac be guilty
>of artificially driving up demand, an unfair trade practice? There being no
>good reason to discontinue making the product or at least licensing others
>to make it, because, after all, all you have to do is press a button on a
>machine...


Kelli,
    Technically as it stands today, making a copy of a Fiero isn't illegal.
There are several outlets for buying kit cars, where you literally make a
copy of some model, usually a classic or sports car. Now, copying a Fiero
might be grounds to have you committed for insanely bad taste, but not for
prosecution.
    As far as someday just copying a car, it will be possible, but who knows
when. It is a good argument though. The car companies will surely complain,
if they are still around. It's a strange way to run a world, isn't it? See,
to them, it's theft not because you are depriving them of their own property
(they still have it), but because you are stealing from them. As their
slave, you are using yourself to enjoy life, without their permission! Go
back and be a good little robot.

Thanks,
John