On Thu, 2000-01-27 at 15:55, diego henao wrote:
> Sir, with all the respect; Someone asked to the list where he could get
> suse for free. I just answered this question. If you think is piracy
> don't get it. If you think is not piracy do the opposite think. Here, we
> are to help one to other. That's what I am doing ANSWERING QUESTIONS.
Understandable. Piracy is by definition "making unlawful unauthorized
copies of unlicensed software". Without paying for the commercial
software the distribution contains, you are almost definitely
unlicensed. You have "fair use" rights to make backup copies of your own
media (that you are licensed to use after paying for it), but giving
this copy to others for them to use is strictly illegal.
Copyright law is particularly insidious.
GPLed software is "copyleft"ed. Simply put, everyone is *encouraged* to
make copies and distribute derivative works. In fact, this GNU Public
License
I am merely revising your answer by suggesting that copying copyrighted
material (even when mixed with copyleft'ed software) is piracy. As long
as the source for the GPLed software is made available by the
distribution vendor, they are not breaking the law by mixing GPLed
software with commercial intellectual property.
If this seems silly, it sure does seem that way, I'll agree. However,
legally, there are copyright issues that muck things up. Welcome to the
US legal system (and, by definition, the primary ongoing influence on
global intellectual property rights).
Yes, you can use EDonkey2000. Yes, you can use the FastTrack network
with Kazaa or Morpheus (but I don't recommend either for various other
reasons). Yes, you can use Gnutella or one of the various clients. Yes,
you can use Napster or one of the OpenNap servers with any Napster
clients. Heck, you can use Mojonation, Freenet, or Peek-a-booty.
There are dozens of these PtP networks popping up now.that you can
choose from, and more that will likely pop up.
Are these legal? Not with current laws. Are these stopable? Nope. Not
even very likely with the emerging peer-to-peer technologies. The 'net
has made copying digital media (software, music, and video alike) so
pervasive that copyright law needs to change to adapt to it. The flawed
business model that the RIAA and MPAA enforce are doomed for eventual
failure. Artists, filmmakers, musicians, and programmers will need to
change the way they make money, or at least adapt their business
practices to the reality of what the 'net has quickly become.
Our human utopia is the Internet. No single country controls it
(although the US can make quite an impact). Regardless as to the
"legality" of copying digital media, there will always be a subversive
element in 'net society. I, for one, embrace it.
That's my opinion, anyway.
- Ian C. Blenke <icblenke@nks.net> <ian@blenke.com>
http://ian.blenke.com
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