Re: Think About It

[rder@pro-palmtree.cts.com (Richard Der)]

wbaguhn@nyx10.cs.du.edu (Will Baguhn) wrote:
>It may sound like no difference unless you phrase it like this...
>but there is a difference.  I have no problem with copying old
>out of print software that nobody's making money on anymore,
>but that doesn't mean I'm going to try and rob the people who
>are currently developing for the Apple II.  That would be stupid.
 
The problem is that Asimov dosn't even try to contact the publisher
or author. How can they be sure the copyright holders don't have
plans for the software (notice the STM disc for the Mac where the
old software became profitable again). If they tried to contact
the publisher/author mentioned in the credits and couldn't find
them, that would be a different story.
 
In your robbery analogy, Asimov sees a piece of furniture in
someone's back yard. Right now, Asimov takes it without asking.
If Asimov rings the doorbell and asks for permission first,
the owner might donate it.
 
On the other hand, Asimov may discover that the home is deserted
and no one cares about the furniture. In this case, Asimov may
 morally take it.
 
If someone takes something out of your yard because they assume
it is useless to you, would you not get mad? Is this not robbery?
And sometimes, as we have found out, the furniture is still being
used (eg. Atarisoft games from Joe Kohn).


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