Copyright

[Eric J Korpela]

On 12/17/05, Tony Duell <ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> > If it runs from ROM, then it's not considered to be copied, but if ROM is
> > copied ("shadowed") to RAM (as BIOS' and video firmware often are), then it
> > would be considered to be copied.
>
> THis confirms what I already suspected : The copyright law is seriously
> broken.

Very.  Next thing you know the literary equivalent of the MPAA/RIAA
will be arguing that looking at a book creates a tiny, temporary,
upside-down copy on your retina.  Therefore letting anyone else read
your book is a copyright violation.

Intelectual property is an artificial concept that was created by
government because society benefits from it.  Alterations in our
political structure have led to a state of affairs where the benefits
of copyright primarily go to a few monopolies and the benefits to
society are restricted or non-existent.  When when the costs to
society start to exceed the benefit, the concept needs to change or it
will disappear altogether (either by fiat or de facto) regardless of
the actions of the Microsoft, the MPAA or the RIAA.  They can complain
all they want about illegal copying, but the illegal copying is
largely their own fault.

Eric