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If my $1,000 were to magically, instantly transform into an identical Hermes bag sitting on the counter, I'm not sure how they'd ever even know it happened. Wh

If my $1,000 were to magically, instantly transform into an identical Hermes bag sitting on the counter, I'm not sure how they'd ever even know it happened. Who was harmed? Fashion is a little different, too. There's very little software that operates in a world where exclusivity is an important aspect of pricing - Hermes bags cost $10,000 because people like to signal that they can afford a $10,000 bag. The value is very quickly diluted with greater availability. I can't think of a digital product that operates that way - maybe niche data re-selling? Certainly not TV shows or movies or songs.

TeMPOraL 13y ago
> because people like to signal Yes; signaling seems to be an important part of value for the producers, not only in fashion. It's the same in expensive cars, expensive electronics (think Apple), etc. Not surprisingly, those are the companies that are the loudest about chinese knockoffs. If I were to 3D scan and then replicate the bag with subatomic precision using Star Trek replicator, I don't think anyone would feel that I'm stealing something, but people would still point out that this is not a real Hermes bag (so I got something of lesser worth). And if I took the original and left the copy in the shop, it could be considered theft even though you couldn't tell a difference with a scanning electron microscope. It's funny how society and moral intuitions work; a very interesting topic.
- logfromblammo 13y ago
  It wouldn't be stealing. It would be trademark infringement. You would have to adjust your replicator to remove any trace of brand identity from your copy. Trademark infringement is a variety of fraud, not a property crime. Your action did not deprive Hermes of its ability to keep or sell its bag, but it did damage its ability to sell the bag for 10 times production cost by diluting and confusing the brand.

TeMPOraL 13y ago

> because people like to signal Yes; signaling seems to be an important part of value for the producers, not only in fashion. It's the same in expensive cars, expensive electronics (think Apple), etc. Not surprisingly, those are the companies that are the loudest about chinese knockoffs. If I were to 3D scan and then replicate the bag with subatomic precision using Star Trek replicator, I don't think anyone would feel that I'm stealing something, but people would still point out that this is not a real Hermes bag (so I got something of lesser worth). And if I took the original and left the copy in the shop, it could be considered theft even though you couldn't tell a difference with a scanning electron microscope. It's funny how society and moral intuitions work; a very interesting topic.

logfromblammo 13y ago
It wouldn't be stealing. It would be trademark infringement. You would have to adjust your replicator to remove any trace of brand identity from your copy. Trademark infringement is a variety of fraud, not a property crime. Your action did not deprive Hermes of its ability to keep or sell its bag, but it did damage its ability to sell the bag for 10 times production cost by diluting and confusing the brand.