copyright outdated (Re: US to Ease Crypto Export)

[Adam Back]

Bruce Tober writes:
> It is my view that existing laws on theft are outdated. It's so easy to
> steal or shop lift that such laws should be abandoned because I prefer
> to steal food and money and other things. It saves me having to work and
> pay for them.

Hmm, but you are talking about tangible physical items, which cost
someone money to reproduce.  Taking their goods without paying for
them would result in an immediate and direct loss on a per item basis
to the producer.  In addition if you were to persist in this
occupation, it seems highly likely that you would be caught and
punished.

Reproduction of information in electronic form is essentially free, it
doesn't cost the producer anything if someone makes an extra
electronic copy.  Moreover individuals can reproduce and distribute,
or publish information highly anonymously, and with close to zero risk
of being caught, and pretty low chance of any significant punishment
even in the unlikely event of being identified.

With widespread censorship resistant publishing ability in the hands
of the individual, it is simply an observation of reality that
individuals can publish what they want, including reproducing other
peoples publications.

Views on this vary.  Your reaction appears to be that you don't like
this observation of reality.  Mine is that I think it is a good thing
for the individual.

That you don't like it should not be that surprising: you are a
journalist selling your articles to publishers.  

One presumes members of guilds didn't like it too much when secret
guild information leaked, and that priests jealously monopolising
interpretation of bibles written in Latin didn't like it too much when
english translations appeared, and when printing presses allowed mass
reproduction and dissemination of said information.

All three trends are steps forwards in empowering the individual my
view.

Laws which are not enforceable, and which fly against gravity are kind
of pointless and annoying, and I think in the long term are doomed to
be overtaken by reality.

Copyright is only a current societal convention, it will likely change
in the future.

Adam