5 ms·

I don't think "pirated" is the right word.

by rplnt 14y ago

Fargren 14y ago
Well, "pirated" is probably not the right word for anything less than armed robbery of a boat. But lately it's been used as a synonym of "copyright infringement", so maybe it applies.
- nollidge 14y ago
  In the context of software, "piracy" has come to mean downloading and distributing copyrighted material. And I think it's fine to use it for that, even though it doesn't happen on the high seas (usually?). But this is more like plagiarism, although I'd be fine with calling it stealing or theft, which have a pretty broad meaning colloquially.
  - mpyne 14y ago
    Are you saying that the image is not, in fact, used in the UEFI firmware Sony is distributing?
    - nollidge 14y ago
      That's a good point, actually. I should have read closer.
  - Fargren 14y ago
    >>In the context of software, "piracy" has come to mean downloading and distributing copyrighted material. Odd, I thought if I downloaded, say, a game from a warez site I would be branded a pirate even if I didn't distribute it afterwards.
    - nollidge 14y ago
      That's true, but I'm not sure I want to model my language usage after overzealous RIAA lawyers :-)
bediger4000 14y ago
What would you suggest as the right word? I mean, theft is theft, right, whether it's 9 songs, more than 3 sentences or an image. And using the image to make money, that compounds the theft, just like getting caught with lockpicks during a burglary. We have many important, wealthy sources saying that, so you can believe it.
- nollidge 14y ago
  What does any of that have to do with whether or not "pirated" is the best word choice for this?
  - bediger4000 14y ago
    "Pirated" is commonly used as a simple synonym for "stolen" these days. Common usage has shorn "pirated" of any nuance or connotation. Saying "Theft is theft" means that asking for a more nuanced verb than "pirated" in this situation amounts to excusing theft. Please excuse me for invoking a phrase that Sony itself (possibly through it's RIAA mouthpiece) uses in precisely the same context for its irony value. I should not have attempted the use of a subtle and low-energy communication modality like irony.
    - nollidge 14y ago
      Ack, no, you're good. I usually think of myself as adept at identifying sarcasm but that totally went over my head. Sorry!

I don't think "pirated" is the right word.

by rplnt 14y ago

I don't think "pirated" is the right word.

Well, "pirated" is probably not the right word for anything less than armed robbery of a boat. But lately it's been used as a synonym of "copyright infringement", so maybe it applies.

nollidge 14y ago
In the context of software, "piracy" has come to mean downloading and distributing copyrighted material. And I think it's fine to use it for that, even though it doesn't happen on the high seas (usually?). But this is more like plagiarism, although I'd be fine with calling it stealing or theft, which have a pretty broad meaning colloquially.
- mpyne 14y ago
  Are you saying that the image is not, in fact, used in the UEFI firmware Sony is distributing?
  - nollidge 14y ago
    That's a good point, actually. I should have read closer.
- Fargren 14y ago
  >>In the context of software, "piracy" has come to mean downloading and distributing copyrighted material. Odd, I thought if I downloaded, say, a game from a warez site I would be branded a pirate even if I didn't distribute it afterwards.
  - nollidge 14y ago
    That's true, but I'm not sure I want to model my language usage after overzealous RIAA lawyers :-)

bediger4000 14y ago

What would you suggest as the right word? I mean, theft is theft, right, whether it's 9 songs, more than 3 sentences or an image. And using the image to make money, that compounds the theft, just like getting caught with lockpicks during a burglary. We have many important, wealthy sources saying that, so you can believe it.

nollidge 14y ago
What does any of that have to do with whether or not "pirated" is the best word choice for this?
- bediger4000 14y ago
  "Pirated" is commonly used as a simple synonym for "stolen" these days. Common usage has shorn "pirated" of any nuance or connotation. Saying "Theft is theft" means that asking for a more nuanced verb than "pirated" in this situation amounts to excusing theft. Please excuse me for invoking a phrase that Sony itself (possibly through it's RIAA mouthpiece) uses in precisely the same context for its irony value. I should not have attempted the use of a subtle and low-energy communication modality like irony.
  - nollidge 14y ago
    Ack, no, you're good. I usually think of myself as adept at identifying sarcasm but that totally went over my head. Sorry!