On 3/29/07, Chuck [email protected] wrote:
Oren Beck wrote:
SO we have the ethics of theft being not only wrong in itself- but arguably making us -the technical class, passive accomplices. For failing to make it duly rewarded as the crime it is.
And furthermore- it's an opening for the Open Source world to PROVE that we are better at real security than the closed models ever can be.
You know, not everybody agrees with the traditional paradigm of so-called "intellectual property." Some of us outright oppose the very idea of "intellectual property." And the Internet community has rapidly been moving towards our position, what with file-sharing and free/open software.
The Web is based on openness. If you don't like people hotlinking to an image on your server, put up some porn. Framing? This may be annoying, but it shows that your site has content so good that others would highlight it. I also wouldn't totally condemn framing. In some contexts, this would actually boost traffic to your website.
Chuck
Bread and Roses Web Design serving small businesses, non-profits, artists and activists http://www.breadandrosesweb.com/
While I totally agree on the unsettled nature of what "IP" rules should or not be - My post was my attempt to direct consensus in a "least harm and greatest good" path.
It's NOT the petty concern about the odd fool who link pests some Icon on LiveUrinal; It IS about the ownership of what a person creates. *YOU* being in the design world should grok the concept. As in the degree of freedom one trades for security. Or the reverse. Ethics to render DRM a moot point perhaps? We can dream eh?
To be pretty Blunt about it- the AUTHOR should have some retention of control beyond the already accepted exceptions. Denial of author's rights will stifle open exchange out of self defense in many cases. But does it have to be so? More on that in what I call the Garcia Vs Brooks logic sets.
Garcia: Ok folks-start your recorders this is the first time we're playing this tune.
Brooks: Whinges to Congress about sales of used cd's dooming his kids to public school.
Where we the Tech class come in is to direct a world order that allows and CHERISHES the Garcia model while not spitefully ripping Brooks off by blatant immoral THEFT.
Example one-Sell a used cd- yes.. Just like selling a book. Tell Garth to grow up.
Example two -Host a torrent for "Author Authorised" music yes, A tribute to Jerry it is.
Buy a new cd only 3 hours old- post on server- For shame you bad karma thief!
Do please tell me how you justify the last example or demonise the first 2?
It's close to the same in web content, MY point was directed more to the following crimes.
"False claim of Authorship" You claim YOU wrote it when you know you did not.
"Theft of service that costs real money." Some hosting services CHARGE per transfer Gb.
We can from this point either degenerate to bickering -or seek consensus on what's ethical or not.
Choose Wisely.