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Even copyrighted information can never be "stolen". It can only copied without authorization.
by Zambyte 2mo ago
Even copyrighted information can never be "stolen". It can only copied without authorization.
- otterley 2mo agoStealing is not a word that applies only to physical objects.
- niemandhier 2mo agoFunnily enough in some legal systems it does. Where I live the legal definition of “theft” is: Taking away a movable thing.
- kube-system 2mo agoThat's also... a different word.
- niemandhier 2mo agoNot in my language.
- otterley 2mo agoWe're discussing the English language here.
- margalabargala 2mo agoAny word can be applied to any concept with any meaning thanks to the fluidity of vernacular. Language is all just sounds and markings. Anything can be redefined to mean anything, and anyone can decide to aggressively assert their preferred definition of a word.
- kube-system 2mo agoWords can change meaning, but whether or not they actually do is a social function of how they are observably used. Words can also have multiple meanings concurrently. When it comes to the word "steal" in these discussions, people generally are arguing past each other in regards to the single definition they're thinking of. Of course, you can assert that the meaning of "steal" only applies to physical items. You are well within your right to do so. You'd be wrong, but you can do it.
- otterley 2mo ago> people generally are arguing past each other in regards to the single definition they're thinking of. It's more than that. By claiming that copyright infringement isn't stealing, they're usually doing so to justify such behavior: if the original thing remains with the owner, it couldn't have harmed him, could it?
- kube-system 2mo agoMaybe but I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, especially when the argument at face value is factually incorrect.
- otterley 2mo agoThis tired argument--that copyright infringement is not "stealing"--is at least as old as my Commodore 64.
- blackqueeriroh 2mo agoYeah, considering that taking trade secrets is absolutely stealing, this could be considered stealing
- Zambyte 2mo agoBy conflating unauthorized copying with stealing, they're usually doing so to justify excessive punishment. If the owner lost what they had, they were obviously harmed, right?
- kube-system 2mo agoStole the words right out of my mouth!
- Zambyte 2mo agoPlease provide an example of an action legally considered "stealing" that does not involve stealing physical objects.
- breezybottom 2mo agoDigital piracy is considered stealing in most countries.
- polymer8563 2mo agolet me copy your data without authorization over here real quick