bch@ecsvax.UUCP (Byron C. Howes) (04/02/85)
I am a little surprised by the seeming acceptability of the notion that
so long as software pirates don't make money from their thievery, that
such activity is OK. Theft is theft, simple enough, and the fact that
these kids may be just playing some sort of "game" rather than engaging
in serious entrepreneurship doesn't make it something else.
Some say it's "only copying." What do you think the term "copyright"
(copy right) means? It doesn't mean the right to sell something, it
means the right to determine (within clearly specified limits) who can
copy a work and for what purpose. Unless it is specifically stated
in the terms of the copyright, if you don't own it you can't copy it
for your own use.
Is copying software like copying records, tapes and VCRs? You bet.
If you make copies of the above for other than your own use you are
absolutely in violation of the law.
People, there is a raft of public domain software out there that is
yours for the asking. There are lots more programs that need to be
written for folks, like you, that cannot afford the addmittedly steep
prices of commercial programs. Given the number and sophistication
of the programs which can break copy protection schemes, a large amount
of stolen software is a poor measure of an individual's ability to hack.
If you think you're that good, write the programs that need writing.
If not, stop cutting into the rights of the folks who are trying to
make a living.
--
Byron Howes
System Manager -- NCECS
...!{decvax,akgua}!mcnc!ecsvax!bch