Paul Bradley wrote:
I don`t believe in copyright in general, but I would be perfectly happy to pay a US cpunk to send me a copy of this CD-ROM, *BUT*, physically mailing a copy like this is more risky for the US Cpunk. I don`t believe in ripping people off, and rarely copy copyrighted material, but I don`t hold with copyright laws and see nothing wrong with this being posted.
Copyright is for the purpose of people with ideas being financially rewarded in the same manner as those who manifest those ideas in the physical sphere (via print, recordings, machines, etc). As a recording musician I expected to get money for my recordings, just as everyone else in the chain of business did in making my music available to the end-user. (And just as a grocer who makes food available to his customers expects you to leave something in the till on your way out of the store.) I have never had any problem with someone recording a copy of my music from a purchased copy if they are a music lover with a thin pocket, or can't readily purchase it. If someone with a $2000.00 stereo wants to enjoy the fruits of my labor without contributing any money to my health and welfare, then I consider them to be just another thief. The bottom line with the Crypto CD-ROM is that we should each make an effort to support it at the level we are capable of, in the interest of promoting strong cryto. Buy it, if at all possible. If you download a copy on the net and can't afford $99.00, then send them $10.00, or $20.00, etc. If you can't afford to send them a nickle, then do what you can to promote their product. Provide pointers to their business, tell people about their products, etc. People who will give ten or twenty dollars to a charity when someone shows up at their door might use "shareware" for years without taking the time and trouble to send the creator some cash. Bottom line--take the time to recompense the vendor/creator at the level you are able. Technology may well enable us to take the product and give nothing in return to those who made it available, but doing so will not further our own beliefs and aims to any extent. If you just want to rip something off, go to the Whithouse, rip off some silverware, and send it to Dr. Dobbs. TruthMonger