I’m we all know how thepiratebay was raided a while back (and has since gone back up). But this particular incident really got the whole P2P community up and arms and hopefully would do some serious damage to those “legal” entities that try to bully those who support P2P.
Anyways, I’m commenting on the speech of Rickard Falkvinge, the “leader” of the Swedish Pirate Party during the Pirate Bay support demonstration.
The translation of the speech is found here
I’d really urge everyone to read it as it was a very enlightening read to how “pirates” minds work.
Now why did I deem this topic worthy of reflection? Because perhaps I myself hadn’t known that there were people who actually thought that piracy was a good thing. I mean don’t get me wrong, I myself am no angel – but to me ultimately it’s wrong.
As inspiring and charismatic that speech sounded, I can’t find myself buying into that particular perspective.
One of the main points one has to consider in the speech is that they think the whole “machine” that governs “copyright law” is all wrong… and it may very well be.
But you know, ultimately for me it’s like this:
If someone put in the effort to create something, and spent a considerable amount finances to create it, then that has to be rewarded. Nobody has the right to tell somebody that that which they created should be free for public consumption. If you don’t agree with the terms of the creator, then it’s as simple as not using the software, or not watching the movie, or not buying the CD.
So why do I still find myself downloading off BitTorrent? Probably because I could justify, to a reasonable extent, MY need to indulge in such practices. But the difference of my “principles” from that of Mr. Falkvinge’s is that I do not advocate them. I indulge in such activities because as much as I would like to support them, I do not have the means to. This argument of mine may not (or never) be acceptable to many, but that’s what I think, and I won’t bother even explaining it. I do not intend to convince anyone otherwise, so I expect the same treatment.
But since Mr. Falkvinge is actively advocating something that has always been morally questionable. I only have this to say: If you think everything should be free, then why don’t you make them yourself and give them away? Which is exactly what some artists, filmmakers, software engineers, and musicians are doing… and God bless them.
As much as I love people who make great free stuff, I will not take offense against those who require payment – especially if that which they created was truly great. While I may try to get their stuff for free, you won’t see me proudly telling everyone to do the same.