There is a difference between counterfeiting and copying. A counterfeit makes a false claim to being original; a copy need make no such claim.
BTW, let me ask a somewhat-related question: if someone purchases a printer (as opposed to, say, leasing it), does that person have a right to refill its ink cartridges, and to make such modifications to the printer or cartridges as are necessary to make them work?
BTW, let me ask a somewhat-related question: if someone purchases a printer (as opposed to, say, leasing it), does that person have a right to refill its ink cartridges, and to make such modifications to the printer or cartridges as are necessary to make them work?
Not if they expect the manufacturer to stand behind the printer's warranty. Other than that, they may do as they choose with what they own, however the new printer cartridges have embedded chips that disallow refills by the end-user - an example of a proprietary system to protect a company that sells printers for $125 but charges $35-$50 a pop for ink cartridges. And yes, someone will eventually figure out a way to circumvent the system. It seems the most ambitious people in the world are those who want something for nothing, but it's not even a remotely close parallel to the music industry imho.
While I may or may not agree with any number of opinions about the RIAA, the p2ps, the law itself or the artists, I feel that the rule of law should prevail if the US is to stand. The arguments being made that the recording industry is already dead, also argue that the rule of law is dead as well and it no longer even depends on what is is.
It's either right to take what is not yours, or it is not. Many of the arguments being made by conservative people at Free Republic, if carried to their logical conclusion would advocate that since the banking industry is an outmoded business model (because I arbitrary decided it is due to the rates and high charges imposed by the greedy banks), I have the right to steal from the bank as long as I manage not to get caught. I don't really see the difference in arguments, therefore I'm some sort of puritanical moral monitor open to insult and loathing for espousing a conservative principal on a conservative web forum. What's up with that?