Subj : Re: GNU Public Licences Revisited (again) To : comp.programming From : Chris Sonnack Date : Wed Sep 21 2005 12:37 pm Arthur J. O'Dwyer writes: >> 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. > > So in your view: Making a copy by expending a lot of effort is hard > work, and is all right. Making a copy by expending little effort is easy, > and is theft. Which we both, I think, agree is incorrect. It's such a simple equation. Taking something of someone else's without their permission is theft. Period. > I don't think the amount of effort expended in the commission of an act > should determine whether it's theft or not. Agreed. It is, IMO, a factor in its value. > For example, consider a "beer genius" who can just effortlessly create > new and innovative beer recipes off the top of his head any time he > feels like it. Nobody else can make a living the old-fashioned way > anymore; is the beer genius "stealing" from the oldsters, because he > can effortlessly render their efforts useless? > (My answer: obviously not.) Agreed. However consider the fact that our beer genius probably spent considerable investment *becoming* a beer genius. -- |_ CJSonnack _____________| How's my programming? | |_ http://www.Sonnack.com/ ___________________| Call: 1-800-DEV-NULL | |_____________________________________________|_______________________| .