At 08:16 PM 6/29/02 +0200, Anonymous wrote:

When an artist releases a song or some other creative product to the world, they typically put some conditions on it. If you want to listen

to and enjoy the song, you are obligated to agree to those conditions. If you can't accept the conditions, you shouldn't take the creative work.

The artist is under no obligation to release their work. It is like a gift to the world. They are free to put whatever conditions they like on that gift, and you are free to accept them or not.

If you take the gift, you are agreeing to the conditions. If you then violate the stated conditions, such as by sharing the song with others,

you are breaking your agreement. You become a liar and a cheat.

First, What's your point? This list does not require that participants agree with anyone else's sense of ethics. This list often considers the effect of tech on civilization, but you are not required to endorse (or recognize, or scorn) civilization. This list often discusses certain ethics by themselves, but nothing is taken for granted, and the timid/naif may be a little frightened by this. Second, it is quite clear, even to contract-law/laissez-faire types like myself, that some DRM-interested companies are attempting to use the law to remove some rights from consumers (about gadgets and bits and RF). Many of us have a maniacally dim view of such manipulation. Third, if you don't get understand why some people are driven to understand technology, you should probably go back to your TV.

When someone makes you an offer and you don't find the terms acceptable, you simply refuse. You don't take advantage by taking what

they provide and refusing to do your part.

And you don't sue someone for what users of their product do.