Replies

"#1, I believe people should disobey unconstitutional laws. #2, I do not believe that IP protection is a right, but I do believe physical property protection very much is. #3 I believe that in every single instance physical property rights and civil rights such as free speech/firearm ownership must supercede IP protection because IP is a social convention, not a natural right which we are all born with (as is the case with physical property). #4 I have no respect for your IP priveleges if they conflict with the natural right of any individual to publish scientific findings or to manufacture legitimate products (ie anything other than WMDs, kiddie porn and stuff like that)."

So in other words, "handwork" is protected, but "brainwork" is not. If my machine turns out widgets made of wood, plastic, glass, or metal, you will graciously allow my ownership of what I produce. But if my machine turns out words or bits, you claim them for the Public Good.

Yup, I can easily see Che' saying something like that. No stretch at all.

Keep yer mitts off my bits.

My body is in very poor condition. It is failing me. I am definitely unable to make a living as a housepainter or ditchdigger, a carpenter or oilrigger.

So, I work with my brain.

Now along comes He Who Votes Libertarian But Is Not Libertarian, Who Espouses Marxist Dogma, And Insists He's Not Marxist Because It Would Be Inconsistent With Being Libertarian-Which He Says He's Not (damn, I hate long, ostentatious titles), and informs me that he's gonna liberate my work for the common good.

Sorry, HWVLBINL..., but that is as *clearly* communism as the day is long.

But if my machine turns out words or bits, you claim them for the Public Good.

I never said that. I believe that the distinction between physical property and IP needs to legally blurred. Software should be treated more like a physical commodity than IP. If I buy a copy of OfficeXP, Microsoft should not be legally allowed to include product activation any more than Honda should not be able to sell an Accord that only works for the first two owners, but needs confirmation from Honda before it'll start up for the third owner.

Keep yer mitts off my bits.

What software do you develop? I would like to try to avoid ever using it.

My body is in very poor condition. It is failing me. I am definitely unable to make a living as a housepainter or ditchdigger, a carpenter or oilrigger.

Sorry to hear that, but that does not give you legitimate reason to push for stronger copyright laws that violate the US Constitution nor does it give you the right to turn your customers into serfs.

informs me that he's gonna liberate my work for the common good.

You have obviously brainwashed yourself. Go on, keep believing that. I obviously cannot convince you otherwise and it would be a waste of my time to continue trying. You'd find that I hold the very idea of a "common good" in deep contempt on most threads.