"Mike Marlow" wrote in
:

snip

Very true, but it's more than that. It's not just software and those
of us who did, or currently do make our living off of it. It's the
bigger issue of theft. Those who justify any type of theft in the way
that jamie tried to are equally comfortable justifying another type of
theft. It's just a matter of applying a justification to it and the
discomfort that should be associated with it disappears. Theft is
theft, whether it's software, woodworking, music, or anything else.
Sadly, our society is losing touch with the simple moral issue
associated with theft. It was unbelievable to watch the battle over
downloading music illegally play out. The justifications presented
were very revealing with respect to the American attitude towards what
the individual is "entitled" to, versus what the simple matter of the
law is.

I found it very interesting to watch various cultural and historical issues
play out, with regard to intellectual property, while involved in the
international telecommunications equipment industry. It is simple to say
that there are vastly differing cultural heritage issues at work here.
Beyond that, things get muddy pretty quickly.

What's 'right', which seems pretty clear to you and me, seems to vary
greatly. And those who proceed without an understanding of that situation
are not likely to prosper in their efforts.

Patriarch,
not preaching on a Monday...