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Originally posted by KnifeMissle
Here is the crux of the problem. Please read what you have just said. "You are distributing complete copies of copyrighted works..." Says who? You are only assuming that they're copyrighted? They needn't be and, if they are not, then there is no crime.
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I don't know where you're getting the idea that I want P2P software/networks/protocols banned. I don't. I'm just saying that those who choose to trade copyrighted files over those networks (which, you have to admit, is 99.999999% of P2P traffic) are breaking copyright law.
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Well, I suppose I can't stop you from using the term colloquially but consider this. If I steal a chair from you, I've deprived you of the ability to enjoy that chair. But if I look at your chair, and then copy your chair, I can enjoy my chair and you can enjoy yours and everyone is happy. This is obviously not "theft," yet it is exactly what people are doing with P2P, so you can see my reluctance in calling it "theft."
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This argument doesn't hold up at all. Let's say I'm the furniture designer Herman Miller, a well-known furninture designer, and I've spent a lot of time designing this new chair. You're a janitor in their building and you take pictures and copy designs for that chair and share them with Herman Miller's competitors. Did you damage Herman Miller? Yes. Is it illegal or a civil action? Frankly, I don't know, I just know it is wrong.
Intellectual Property is real property. Without intellectual property laws research and development in the USA would grind to a halt.
You're basically arguing that copyright law has no basis in american society, and that it is perfectly OK to go and make perfect digital copies of any books, magazines, websites, or anything else you please, and distribute them to whomever you want, as long as the original source document isn't taken from the owner in the process.