Re: [xml-dev] Principles for an Ethical and Sustainable Internet- XML

[Michael Kay <mike@saxonica.com>]

I didn't say copyright infringement is right or that it's defensible. I 
said it was not theft. There are very good reasons why the law 
distinguishes different offences (and in particular, why it 
distinguishes civil from criminal offences), and it does no-one a 
service to pretend that all offenses are equivalent.

 From a practical point of view they are different as well. If some-one 
steals my laptop, it costs me money to replace it. If someone uses an 
evaluation license of my software for something that's outside the terms 
of an evaluation license, they are getting a free ride, but nine times 
out of ten it's probably not costing me anything because if I asked them 
to either desist or to pay up, they would choose to desist.

Michael Kay
Saxonica


On 29/08/2012 15:22, Len Bullard wrote:
> When you steal a man's livelihood and reputation, it hardly matters to
> him if you run over a dog speeding away from the scene of the crime.
>
> Let's put the Saxon libraries on an ad-supported site that sells
> pornography and fake pharmaceuticals.   We'll be sure to put your name
> on the hyperlinks  next to the pictures of the big breasts and the fake
> Viagra.
>
> It's theft.  If the lawyers want a different venue, they can have one.
> But I do think it better to find ways to protect property than to
> destroy servers because weaseling is more important than property if it
> wins a debate on the Internet.
>
> len
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Kay [mailto:mike@saxonica.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 8:38 AM
> To: xml-dev@lists.xml.org
> Subject: Re: [xml-dev] Principles for an Ethical and Sustainable
> Internet - XML
>
>
> On 29/08/2012 13:54, Len Bullard wrote:
>> A difference that makes no difference.  Weasel speak.
>>
>>
> It makes a vast difference. It affects how and where cases are tried,
> what standards of proof are required, what evidence is acceptable in
> court, what the penalties are for wrongdoers, whether or not prosecutors
>
> consider it in the public interest to prosecute, ... you name it.
>
> You might as well say there's no difference between speeding and murder.
>
> Michael Kay
> Saxonica
>
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