Subj : Re: GNU Public Licences Revisited (again)
To   : comp.programming
From : Willem
Date : Wed Sep 21 2005 09:58 am

Antoon wrote:
) Op 2005-09-21, Chris Sonnack schreef <Chris@Sonnack.com>:
)> Antoon Pardon writes:
)>
)>>>> How does that differ from me, just brewing my own?
)>>>
)>>> I think the key factor here is the recipe - assume that Chris has
)>>> a particularly good recipe for beer and is making a living brewing
)>>> beer to that recipe.
)>> 
)>> I could have a good recipe too, just as others. Maybe Chris got his
)>> his idea for a recipe from a public source.
)>
)> And then spent years and funds developing my own "touch".  If you
)> steal the fruits of that effort, you are stealing from me.
)
) No I'm not. You don't have any less than before, so you were not
) stolen from.

Yes you are.  Let me explain.

The value of something that you create (such as beer) is partly determined
by how much effort is expended in creating it.

So, if you develop your own touch, that means that the value of beer is
now partly determined by that effort.  If, however, you copy my touch,
which takes a lot less effort, that means you have decreased the value of
beer by your act of copying.

If copying devalues the original, that means it is stealing.  You have
taken something of value from the creator of the original.

) You may have suffered damages, but similar damages can come from
) some else developing his own touch that is better.
)
) Now if you argue that people who invested in development should
) have protection from the law against damages that result in people
) using your results with compensation, I can understand that.
)
) But that doesn't mean people stole from you.


SaSW, Willem
-- 
Disclaimer: I am in no way responsible for any of the statements
            made in the above text. For all I know I might be
            drugged or something..
            No I'm not paranoid. You all think I'm paranoid, don't you !
#EOT

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