9 definitions by fwe22
Originally, piracy was a form of theft, when it referred to the practice of robbing on the high seas, and arguably even when it referred to the harmful practice of copying copyrighted products and selling them, ripping off the developers of the products.
Nowadays, it's a synonym for 'copyright infringement', which is not the same thing as theft. Copying in moderation may well benefit the industries in many circumstances as it increases public awareness of the industries and individual products; it's the mass copying initiatives, and the counterfeit sales, that are most likely eroding sales.
In cracking down on 'piracy' the copyright police are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and in pissing off loyal customers with intrusive 'copy protection systems', the concept of copyright law and the relevant industries are giving themselves a bad name.
Nowadays, it's a synonym for 'copyright infringement', which is not the same thing as theft. Copying in moderation may well benefit the industries in many circumstances as it increases public awareness of the industries and individual products; it's the mass copying initiatives, and the counterfeit sales, that are most likely eroding sales.
In cracking down on 'piracy' the copyright police are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and in pissing off loyal customers with intrusive 'copy protection systems', the concept of copyright law and the relevant industries are giving themselves a bad name.
"All forms of piracy should be lumped together, because they are all illegal, therefore they are all bad, and that is why they are all illegal"
Okay, so piracy is wrong because it's against the law, and it's against the law because it's wrong. That argument doesn't work.
Okay, so piracy is wrong because it's against the law, and it's against the law because it's wrong. That argument doesn't work.
by fwe22 March 15, 2007
Circular reasoning is providing evidence for the validity of an assertion, which assumes the validity of the assertion.
General forms include "A is true because A is true" or "A is true because B is true, and B is true because A is true".
Often used as a mechanism to prevent an assertion from being challenged or questioned, or to "win" a debate by sending it round and round in circles.
General forms include "A is true because A is true" or "A is true because B is true, and B is true because A is true".
Often used as a mechanism to prevent an assertion from being challenged or questioned, or to "win" a debate by sending it round and round in circles.
Examples of circular reasoning:
"I'm right because I'm right."
"There isn't a problem with the rule, because if everyone obeyed it there wouldn't be a problem."
"Piracy is wrong because it's against the law, and it's against the law because it's wrong."
"X is stupid because he's an idiot."
"I'm right because I'm right."
"There isn't a problem with the rule, because if everyone obeyed it there wouldn't be a problem."
"Piracy is wrong because it's against the law, and it's against the law because it's wrong."
"X is stupid because he's an idiot."
by fwe22 May 9, 2006