Pirates! ARRRRRe you down to read my blog?

I was having a discussion with my best friend this weekend about illegally downloading software and music. I used to not care so much, after all, I have been into computers well before any anti-piracy laws went into effect and to some degree I still don't quite believe in the idea of owning "intellectual property". After all, as humans we are supposed to share ideas to grow as a people, not hold back information for personal gain and profit. That is like the people at work who play the "I have a secret" game just so they can be the only person in the office who can do a particular task. That is for another pointless rant.. umm, I mean blog.

The point was raised that it doesn't really take away from the producer if someone downloads music or software illegally, since, if they couldn't get it for free online, they just simply wouldn't have it. To some degree, at least in my experience, that is probably the case.

I had a hard time with this conversation, simply due to the fact, that I agree to some degree. The only thing is, our government has in effect created laws that we as citizens should uphold. And while I don't agree with all the laws, it seems to me that as a citizen, I should obey them as best I can. Thanks... Air Force! Of course, I speed... so, I suppose the reality is, I don't obey ALL laws, and that makes me a hypocrite. But, that is it. My only argument is that our government has imposed a law that I barely agree in, and so I think its right that we should have to pay to use software and have music (even though I don't follow all the laws anyways). And so, now that I can... I do. For a while now I have been purchasing my music downloads from Itunes instead of P2P sources, and I have been buying legal versions of software for my computers. I am such a tool.