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I intentionally avoided the larger debate, but one point I did make is that it is not a semantic debate. Arson is also wrong, harmful, and should be illegal.
by jfarmer 18y ago
I intentionally avoided the larger debate, but one point I did make is that it is not a semantic debate.
Arson is also wrong, harmful, and should be illegal. But we don't regulate it in the same way that we regulate theft, nor should we. It would be bad policy.
- tptacek 18y agoI'm not sure your analogy holds. What's different about the way we "regulate" arson and theft? They're both criminal offenses, and both offenses leave you civilly liable for damages. Finish your point; I'm interested in hearing it.
- jfarmer 18y agoYou're right, it's not the best analogy. Or maybe it is. People clearly see arson and theft and distinct things even if they don't understand that they're both prosecuted similarly. But legally speaking arson and theft are closer than copyright infringement and theft.
- deleted 18y ago[deleted]
- xirium 18y agoIn UK law, theft is when someone is permanently deprived of something. The thief doesn't have to gain from the act for it to be theft. The similarity between theft and arson would be that rightful owners would be permanently deprived in both cases.