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comment by kleinbl00
kleinbl00  ·  3426 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Can we cogently refute "stealing is stealing"?

Kids these days.

Royalties are not new. Royalties for music are over 100 years old. Patents are even older. Information can totally be owned, should be owned and in many cases must be owned. Look up Chamberlen forceps if you need a crash course in the value of intellectual property to the common good.





rob05c  ·  3426 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    Royalties are not new
I am actually somewhat familiar with the history of intellectual property. As I noted elsewhere, it actually dates back to the Statue of Anne in 1710, the Licensing of the Press Act of 1662, or even 14th century guilds, depending on your precise definition :P

    in many cases must be owned. Look up Chamberlen forceps

I think you've mistaken me for an ideologue. I believe in Freedom of Information in general, but I do recognize the need for limitations, such as medical records or nuclear weapons. Just like I believe in Freedom of Speech, while recognizing the need for libel laws.

kleinbl00  ·  3426 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    I think you've mistaken me for an ideologue.

Did you, or did you not, say the following:

    Telling me I can't read, or watch, or say things is infringing on my human rights. Seems pretty clear-cut to me.
rob05c  ·  3426 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I didn't say "In all cases, no exceptions."

    there are no simple, trite, clear-cut methods for arguing

    Did you, or did you not, say the following: Telling me I can't read, or watch, or say things is infringing on my human rights. Seems pretty clear-cut to me.

So, there are no succinct arguments against your position, and anyone who makes one is a fanatic?

kleinbl00  ·  3426 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Holy Hyperbole, batman!

I argued that legally speaking, piracy is "theft", where "theft" is "taking something from someone without their permission." I further argued that the issue is much greater than that and people who argue "theft is theft" refuse or fail to see the larger aspects of the issue. I would say that's a pretty dispassionate, bias-free assessment of the crux of the argument. If you wanted to argue with it, you'd have to argue the legal definition of "theft" as well as the typical public interpretation of it.

You came out swinging with the argument that nobody has any right to anything lacking a physical form. Sure, you're backtracking in a couple places but the point stands:

You argued that intellectual property is a crime against humanity.

I'd say you did more than prove yourself an ideologue; I'd say you're acting like a froot loop.

So we're clear: there have always been and will always be abuses of intellectual property law. I'm not at all happy with lots of it. But you have no more rights to the labor of a composer than you do to the labor of a bricklayer. Arguing otherwise is...

...well, do your best. I'm honestly curious.

rob05c  ·  3426 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    You argued that intellectual property is a crime against humanity.

Just because something is a natural right doesn't mean it's on the same level as torture and genocide.

I have a friends who believe all speech should be free, including libel and things that get people killed. I think they're wrong, but I don't think they're fruit loops.

    Arguing otherwise is......well, do your best.

I kinda did. Heh. Sorry I'm not a better debater. Maybe it's because my position is weak and I'll change my mind in a few years. We'll see. ^_^

thenewgreen  ·  3426 days ago  ·  link  ·  
This comment has been deleted.