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> Theft means a possession was taken. Usually, but not always, which is why theft of electricity is a thing.
by DanBC 5y ago
> Theft means a possession was taken.
Usually, but not always, which is why theft of electricity is a thing.
- hunter2_ 5y agoUnlike ideas and other intangibles that are subject to trivial copying, electricity falls into the realm of the physical world. Also, theft of services is an established type of theft along with theft of property.
- DanBC 5y agoWhat's being stolen in theft of electricity? The electrons or the holes?
- hunter2_ 5y agoService. This question "is a copy equivalent and trivial to create?" is a pretty good way to understand the line in the sand regarding what stuff is subject to copyright infringement versus theft. We have theft of property and theft of service. We do not have theft of trivially copyable stuff because we have copyright infringement instead for that case. Paintings, manuscripts, etc. are subject to theft because they are nonfungible. The content itself is subject to copyright because the copies are fungible.