[d@DCC] Things that "induce" us to infringe copyright.

[Russell McOrmond]

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004, tOM Trottier wrote:

> But not if you put Linux, GNU stuff, or your own software, video, or music 
> on them. Then selling would be perfectly legal and ethical. So long as you 
> charged GST...

  I think we have to separate what is legal and what is ethical.  The levy
applies to a given type of media for the purpose of trade, regardless of
what is going to be put on that media.  My interpretation of the private
copying regime is that if you import for personal use that is allowed, but
if you import for the purpose of trade and don't pay the levy then you are
breaking the law.

  As to ethics:  I personally believe it is less ethical for the CPCC to
collect a tariff on my CDs that will be used to distribute FLOSS than it
would be to not collect the tariff on CDs that will be used for music.  
This is based partly on my belief that the non-commercial private copying
of music is not only not harmful, but helpful to the music and recording
industries, as well as my belief that my non-music use of CDs should not
be subsidizing my political opponents.

-- 
 Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/> 
              Aug 28, 2004 is Software Freedom Day
          http://www.digital-copyright.ca/node/view/437
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