Philosophical Quandry: Piracy

Fyron · #1 July 11th, 2003, 10:43 PM

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You guys are talking about different cultures, not morality.

Different cultures have different morality.

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If he didn't want an answer, or now he says it's impossible to answer since there is no single definition of morality, why ask the question to begin with? Is it simpy to provoke a semantic discussion about the definition of morality?

I never said it was impossible to answer. My question had nothing to do with other cultures, but with the culture in which we live (broad US culture). You seem to be reading things that have not been typed. Again, are you having a bad day today or what?

[ July 11, 2003, 21:46: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

geoschmo · #2 July 11th, 2003, 10:44 PM

We're butting heads, so this will be the Last thing I say. Theft and murder are universal absolutes. The fact that some people and some cultures choose to ignore or redefine the terms to ease their concseince merely means those people and cultures are immoral.

Geoschmo

Fyron · #3 July 11th, 2003, 10:47 PM

So now you are being an elitist. My culture is better than yours, huh? Why is that? Where do you get the right to judge other cultures? Why is your view so much better?

[ July 11, 2003, 21:48: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Phoenix-D · #4 July 11th, 2003, 10:55 PM

So Geo. If morals are absolute, your opinion then is most just don't know what moral is?

I'm thinking of all the fun cultures that think women or "not us" races having equal rights is immoral here, for example..

Gryphin · #5 July 11th, 2003, 10:57 PM

We can talk of other cultures if you want to. If you want a good conversation for comparison let�s discuss Adultery / Infidelity / Cheating. Different cultures have very different takes on those. I fall into the Category: If you don�t have permission it is cheating. This carries over into any violation of my integrity. I was not always like this.

I am not a god and do not claim the right to judge others. Still, I ask, for those who believe it is right to violate the EULA, do you believe it is right to cheat on your girl friend / wife / etc�.

Erax · #6 July 11th, 2003, 11:04 PM

People can make money off their software by offering a service that requires a fee. Software can be copied, the service cannot. Pay-per-turn games, monthly-subscription Online games and subscription-based antivirus software all operate on this model. I am not an expert but I'd say those kinds of media don't get pirated too often.

In a similar way, you can buy a pirate DVD, but if you want to watch it on the big screen you have to go to a movie theatre.

I won't go so far as to say that all copyable content should be free, but I believe it will ultimately become cheap enough to drive the pirates out of business. Notice I didn't say 'should', I said WILL. The pressure from the competition - illegal though it may be - is just too great.

I bought many of my games years after they were released, when their price had fallen to the $5-$8 range. The enjoyment is the same, I know I won't be throwing my money away and there are no moral issues involved. I am never the first guy on the block to have the latest game but I make up for that by being the ONLY guy on the block that owns some of the more obscure ones. Now I believe I'll see the day when games are released for $15 or even $10. Not all games - the ones made by big-name companies will still be expensive - but the potential is there for a different type of product. It's only a matter of time.

Gryphin : While I did violate the EULA, I do not defend my actions. I now understand that it was wrong and why.

[ July 11, 2003, 22:22: Message edited by: Erax ]

PvK · #7 July 11th, 2003, 11:06 PM

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Originally posted by Gryphin:
... Still, I ask, for those who believe it is right to violate the EULA, do you believe it is right to cheat on your girl friend / wife / etc�.

No. I believe that EULA's are frequently unfair and unenforcable contracts which one side is trying to impose even if the other side hasn't read it, and are therefore invalid.

"By opening this paper envelope, you agree to a 10-page contract written in legalese which says any document you write with our word processor becomes our intellectual property. It doesn't matter that we can't possibly prove that anyone in particular opened the envelope, installed the software, or even knows this warning or the contract exist. We just own it all. Go hire a lawyer at $200/hour if you want to dispute this claim, otherwise, we ownz u, and anyone who might use our software under any circumstances."

B.S.

PvK