[Gllug] Regarding priracy (sic)

[Bernard Peek]

In message <3E65F6F3.3090604 at uncertainty.org.uk>, Sean Burlington 
<sean at uncertainty.org.uk> writes
>Bruce Richardson wrote:
>> On Wed, Mar 05, 2003 at 10:51:57AM +0000, chris.wareham wrote:
>>
>>>Now, can we get back to answering *technical* queries regarding Linux
>>>and free software and perhaps setup an alternative Chat list for the
>>>anarcho-student type wastes of bandwidth.
>>   It's an admirable aim but one that you are unlikely to achieve by 
>>adding
>> your two pennorth and then telling everyone else to shut up.
>>
>
>I'm don't even think it's an admirable aim
>
>this isn't just a technical list and discussions about copyright are 
>(IMO) well on topic for a Linux list
>
>personally I think sayinmg copyright laws are good or bad is a 
>simplification
>
>I think the length of copyright protection is too long (society as a 
>whole would benefit more from shorter copyright protection)

The length of copyright and patent protection should be re-evaluated. 
The USA have just increased copyright protection to 95 years.

Patent lifetimes on medicines are too short, and that is causing a lot 
of grief in that business.

>
>It is also tied very much to the issue of monopoly - big companies use 
>often illegal practises to protect thier own interests - and then 
>complain when ordinary folk break thier rules.

Big companies usually avoid illegal practises if they can. They do work 
hard at getting what they want while complying with the letter of the 
law.

>One of the really odd things is the way 'indusrty standard' software 
>depends on copying: if students didn't have dodgy copies of photoshop 
>they couldn't learn it and it wouldn't be standard, if office workers 
>didn't have dodgy copies of MS Office at home offices might choose to 
>use something cheaper to enable people to work at home ...

Which is why product activation is Microsoft's suicide-note. It's the 
start of their exit strategy.



-- 
Bernard Peek
bap at shrdlu.com
www.diversebooks.com: SF & Computing book reviews and more.....

In search of cognoscenti


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