Re: NY Times Ethicist Condones Ripping Off E-books

From: "Robotech_Master" 
> And in a somewhat more balanced frame of mind:
> 
> http://www.teleread.org/2010/04/06/p-books-to-e-books-the-ethics-of-downloading-and-the-legality-of-scanning/
> 
> -- 
> Chris Meadows aka         | WWW: http://www.terrania.us      | Somebody
> Robotech_Master           | ICQ: 5477383  AIM: RoboMastr     | help, I'm
> [email protected] | Skype, LJ-Gizmo: Robotech_Master | trapped in
> [email protected]        | Facebook: Robotech.Master        | a sig file!

Chris,

I can't imagine that you and I are ever going to agree on this, but are you seriously supporting this set of arguments.

The court decision quoted deals specifically with music in digital media; it is not about all media, nor is it about approving the obtaining of fresh copies of the files. It deals simply with the issue of how you utilise a digital music file that you legitimately own; and then it must assume that you have not agreed, in the contract of purchase, to other terms.

There is a simple issue of contract, by the way.

Here (UK) the issue of copying print content was dealt with very early in the existence of Xerox copying machines; it is against copyright law - of course this was before the US joined the rest of the world in Berne. The question was exactly the same; what have you purchased. The answer is you have purchased a single copy with no further rights to publish more copies, or cross media, or even get  paperback free if you bought the hardback.

Now it may be hard for the US traditionalists to understand that the net has thrust us all into each other's laps. And since most everything can be made a digital file the potential for taking without payment or respect to law is great.

Suggesting that, because you have paid for a copy of something, you are automatically entitled to get other copies that have been stolen,  is ethical correctness gone mad.  I always rear up when I hear the word ethics or ethical - I know it is going to be an attempt to justify why the morals of millenia should be ignored. Truly, here, I was not disappointed - unfortunately.

Far from being 'reasoned', it is merely a verbose extension of Cohen's 'permission to steal'. Verbose because the writer hopes the point will be so confused by the verbiage that none will argue against.

It is simply an attempt to justify the 'I want, I take' philosophy. Whether the law should sensibly be rewritten in light of technical changes is something worth discussing - internationally.

While many think the whole publishing scene is now settled into a brave new world, the truth is the changes have not even finished raising the dust. That other crutch for the taking argument, 'I can so I will', would not be a good principle to encourage elsewhere.

The plethora of devices and formats is not a problem created by the publisher or author - why punish them for the actions of others? Because it is easy?

Joseph

Joseph Harris - Debt Control Man
http://www.controlyourdebtcrisis.co.uk
Author: Control Your Debt Crisis on Your Own Terms
http://twitter.com/debtcontrolman 
SAQ - SAve the cheQuese it is easy






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