Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!apple!oliveb!ames!rex!hoang
From: hoang@rex.cs.tulane.edu (Dzung Hoang)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re:  ST piracy
Message-ID: <863@rex.cs.tulane.edu>
Date: 28 Jun 89 05:21:28 GMT
References: <890627.22503916.027053@SFA.CP6>
Reply-To: hoang@rex.UUCP (Dzung Hoang)
Organization: Computer Science Dept., Tulane Univ., New Orleans, LA
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In article <890627.22503916.027053@SFA.CP6> Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET (Z4648252) writes:
>Frank Rahmani writes:
>
>       "Just as there are two opposing sides to your
>character, as shown by your two postings (one very friendly,
>the other full of name-calling), there are also two opposing
>aspects to software piracy."
>----
[stuff omitted]
>    Here's something for science fiction buffs.  When
>physical cloning becomes possible in the far (??) future,
>imagine what happens when Joe User can buy a cloning device
>so that he can clone his disk drive, his computer, his
>monitor.  Push a button and there it is.  A backup disk
>drive.  A backup monitor.
>    His Uncle Bob needs an RGB monitor but doesn't have the
>money.  The molecular code is available on Joe User's disk.
>He downloads the code,  installs it in his cloner, and
>presto.  He has an RGB monitor.
>    Is the above ridiculous?  Is it piracy or is it
>stealing?
>
>Larry Rymal <Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET>

    If such a scenario were possible, I would regard it as normal use.
Why have a cloning machine if not to "automatically" generate something.
I wouldn't exactly call it stealing--he's just using his cloning machine.
In such a situation (society), the emphasis should not be what one could or
should do with a cloner, but who has access to a cloning machine.  In other
words, the cloning-machine industry and use should be regulated.  Also, the
person cloning the computer equipment is not doing it for free.  Imagine
the cost for such an operation--probably more than what the computer stuff
costs.  And if the average JOE can clone, what about industry?  They either
clone too, or suffer an agonizing death.
    Now, back to the present.  What would one do with a disk drive and a
copying program if not to copy disks?
    In summary, what I'm trying to say is that with the availability of
disk copying programs and no real "restrictions" on their use, the copying
of programs will take place.  The only way to stop or at least hinder such
practices is to restrict the availability of the tools for such purposes.
In light of the legitimate needs for copying programs for backup purposes,
this is practically impossible.

Dzung Hoang
hoang@comus.cs.tulane.edu
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This is only my opinion.  Take it or leave it.
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