Re: Software Piracy : The Grey Area

[GUDATH@EZINFO.VMSMAIL.ETHZ.CH (Henrik 'Ratte' Gudat)]

Steve,

The question is not who it will hurt or not but if there is such a thing as
intellectual property or not.

I hope there is.

As you said, one point is that for a percentage x of the Apple II downloading
population the lines are too fuzzy and they won't respect it. We can stretch
the law when it's guaranteed that everyone understands the subtle differences,
but unfortunately this will be wishful thinking as long as AOL exists.

I'd also like to add that it's a distorted view that everyone has a 'right' to
use old software. Without such a right, we have to live with the fact that we
can't get our hands on every piece of software.

Instead, IMHO, the only, the really only legitimate way is to track down the
copyright holder and reclassify the software. Willie Yeo is doing exactly this,
and he has accomplished quite a lot. Instead of discussing copyright issues, we
should rather help Willie and make his list grow ad infinitum.

If I can't count on intellectual property, I better quit my job.

- henrik