[Leaplist] Patent reform vs terminating Intellectual Property laws [was Re: FYI, evidence of realities of IP]

[Bill Anderson]

On Tuesday 23 January 2007 08:50, Kyle Gonzales wrote:
> There has been this terrible mixing of postings here.
>
> The patent system has its issues, and needs reform.  Even the companies
> with huge patent portfolios, who have something to protect here, agree
> with this.
>
> Throwing out all intellectual property laws, however, is only in the
> best interest of those who want something for nothing.  People also need
> to remember that those intellectual property laws protect Linux source
> code from being taken and made closed-source.
>
> Copying without consent isn't stealing to thieves.  People creating
> those things find it differently. Then again, those who want to destroy 
> the rights of others always find a way to justify it.

Copying is not stealing under any rational definition. Copyright infringement 
it may be (depending on situation), but stealing it is not. To steal means to 
take something that belongs to someone. If I look over our shoulder on an 
exam in class and copy your answers, what have I *taken* from you? Nothing.