Korean Job Discussion Forums

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

jazblanc77 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004

I wonder who might have created a virus like that... I'd say someone with vested interests in stomping out piracy. Microsoft? Sony? Yeah, in my books both are top contenders for a virus like that.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

RIAA, without a doubt. They have shown their metal....suing grandmothers and 12 year-olds.

It was only a matter of time....I'm surprised it took this long.

Turnabout is fair play however. Downloading music is illegal, as is the virus. It does ring of the guy who had his pot stash stolen by the police. Who are you goinng to turn to?

"Cyber Police. Can I help you?"

Yeah...all of my illegal downloads were wiped out by a virus."

"Ok. What's you address?"

"Oh....man......" *click*

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Ok. Lawful, yes, but I still think there's a component here that isn't of the "law".

A friend once told me they have a 5 year rule when it comes to downloads. Within this time, it's likely that the artists have gathered most of the commercial sales they will get from a work, and I believe this as well. In this case, I don't feel bad about getting their work for my pleasure, for free. (insert "it's on the radio" or "it's on the TV" arguments here)

I am a musician as well, and I can't imagine that I would feel good about my work, that was intended to make me money, being freely distributed on P2P within days of it's release, and having a bunch of legal jargon that says it ok. There is a moral component to this question, one I have been considering for a long while now.

Do I think it's ok to download new music? No, I guess not, so I don't. Ripping bought music and keeping it for myself? Sure, why not? Placing those files in a folder that is shared by a million users? No, I think that's not good. I may be wrong....I am not up to snuff with the legal interpretation, but isn't this where the law justifies all of this?

And yes, I totally see your point about you losing your ripped files to a virus...that isn't right either.

I really don't think it's a clear, cut and dried thing. That's just me though, and for as much as I live within the laws of any country, there are many laws made that I don't exploit to the fullest. Tax laws, for example. Many of these tax loopholes are totally legal in the eyes of the law, but to use these smoke and mirror tactics...this is a good example of how some laws, in my view, are better left alone, even though they may well benefit me. I could dig in deep and get away with a lot more at tax time....many, many people could...but I just don't think it's right. I don't mind paying for what I have.

So I feel about the P2P issue. It may be legal in Canada, but I can't justify all of it myself.

The area where I remain a hypocrite is with games. I only buy them if I like them, or feel that they are a worthy title. EA games for example (not in their distribuor role, but as devs) are so horrible, I wouldn't even download them. So now "quality" enters the frey? Ugh....what could be more subjective? I will just remain wrong on this one, until I jump off the fence and do the right thing.

Ah well.....some things remain as clear as mud. We all heve our own code of ethics on these thing I guess, and I am no exception.

My only point is that the law doesn't always speak for me, even when it may be to my benefit.

This is, of course, just my opinion.