I guess I'm a little late on this post, but I just spent a while reading the threads and this topic does interest me.
I have always been against software piracy. I have written my share of code and I have given lots of my utilities away for free. But the stuff I don't want to be free, I don't expect people to steal. I know it happens, but I don't think it is right. Some of those programs have hundreds or even thousands of hours in them. And I don't believe that it should be the responsibility of the software vendors to make all of their software so it can't be copied. It is already too time consuming to enter the serial numbers and go through the product activation, etc. If everybody were honest software would be a LOT less expensive and a lot easier to use. And if you can't afford it because you are at poverty level, then you shouldn't have the software anyway, and you probably can't even afford your computer or internet connection. So cancel your internet service, sell your computer, and get a (or another) job with your new found spare time to climb out of the poverty level.
That is my opinion ... moving on ...
I used to download MP3 files ... once upon a time, a long time ago, in a land far, far away. That is when the original Napster first came out. I was young, and so were the tools used to rip CDs. Back then it was a lot easier to download a song then to rip it from my CD. But then I saw some songs that I didn't have legally and downloaded some of those too. Then they started cracking down so I deleted everything and bought a bunch of CDs and ripped everything that I wanted from my own CDs. Now everything I have is legal. All software, all programs, all music, everything ... as far as I know.
Which brings me to some questions I have had for the past several years ... how do you find out what is legal? I have done lots of internet searching but been unable to find something that answers the basic questions about what is legal and what is not. Software comes with license agreements and if you ever take the time to read them it explains your rights and limitations, but what about audio and video?
I know that if I buy a CD then I have the right to listen to it, and I think I have the right to rip it to digital files for my MP3 player, etc. but where is the legal line? If I have it (or am listening to it) on my MP3 player, then does that mean that my wife is not allowed to listen to our CD? Is my wife allowed to have a copy on her MP3 player at the same time as I have a copy on my MP3 player? If so what is the limit, and what are the rules? And where does the licensing of the music come from? Is it the physical CD? If so, what happens if the CD gets stolen out of my car, or lost in a flood? Does that mean that I have lost my rights to the music and I then have to delete my electronic copies?
And with video, I assume it is legal to have my DVR record a show from my cable TV. But how is that really different from downloading the same file that my DVR would record? And am I allowed to use my DVR to record a copyrighted motion picture / movie? And if so, what are the limits on that movie? Can I watch it several times? Can I invite friends over to see the movie? Is there a limit on how long I can keep it on my DVR? If there is not a limit, then would I be allowed to burn it from my DVR to a DVD or my computer so I can watch it again later?
I have had these questions, plus many more since I went legit with my MP3 files many years ago. If anybody knows where to find information on the rights / limitations / licensing of music and video that may answer my questions, I would love to know!
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