On Monday 06 July 2009, KM wrote:
steve wrote:
Pravin Dhayfule wrote:
<...snip...> Trademark Removal etc are all Programmer Level steps. I am talking from a perspective of Sharing the OS with a neighbor to install on his/her system as it is received..... Will it be piracy?
I think there are a few basic things that you need to understand /before/ you understand the answers to your questions:
a. Unlike the proprietary world, FOSS does not distinguish between developer, user and distributor. Each person receiving FOSS software, has the right to assume any or all of the three roles. There is no 'END USER' (for an ELUA to exist). So from that perspective, you are a distributor if you share something (using a CD, online, pen-drive ...or any media).
b. Piracy is the practice of hijacking a naval vessel and plundering it. Software Piracy is a silly nonsensical term. Software related violations include things like copyright violation, trademark infringement and unfortunately patent violations ...etc.
True! I agree, 'software piracy' is a hilarious misnomer.
It is not hilarious. Copyright violations is a CRIMINAL offence and is tantamount to theft, piracy, etc. The penalties imposed by the US courts makes theft, piracy etc seem a lot less offensive, even a better alternative.