- #1
kasse
- 383
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What should libertarians think about file sharing?
Is File Sharing Ethical for Libertarians?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the ethical implications of file sharing from a libertarian perspective, exploring the intersection of personal property rights, intellectual property, and the role of government regulation in these areas. Participants engage with the concept of ownership in relation to music and other media, as well as the broader societal impacts of file sharing.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question what it means to be a libertarian and how that relates to personal beliefs about file sharing.
- There is a discussion about whether music can be considered private property, with references to intellectual property and copyright laws.
- One participant suggests that libertarians might believe in the right to share purchased music similarly to sharing non-copyable goods.
- Another participant argues that file sharing can undermine authors' potential profits while also enhancing education and quality of life, suggesting a dual impact.
- Some participants express skepticism about current copyright laws and their implications for creative work.
- A later reply asserts that there is nothing inherently wrong with file sharing, particularly if it involves illegal distribution of copyrighted material.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the ethics of file sharing, with no clear consensus reached. Some argue in favor of file sharing as a positive force, while others highlight the potential harm to creators' profits.
Contextual Notes
Participants reference various assumptions about ownership, the nature of copyright, and the implications of government regulation, which remain unresolved in the discussion.
- #2
drankin
What's a libertarian?
- #3
vociferous
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drankin said:
A classical liberal. Someone who believes in limited governmental regulation, both socially and fiscally.
- #4
Cyrus
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Aren't people supposed to think for themselves?
- #5
MissSilvy
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Why 'should'? There is no 'should' in politics; it's all up to you and your beliefs, party positions be damned. If you're a libertarian, what do you think about file sharing?
- #6
kasse
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Libertarians respect personal property, but can music be regarded private property?
- #7
cristo
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kasse said:
As opposed to what, public property?
- #8
TheStatutoryApe
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kasse said:
Its considered 'Intellectual property'.
It depends on how much of a free marketer you are I suppose. Copyright is a form of government regulation intended to spur creative and intellectual endeavour by protecting the creator's ability to profit off of their work. If you think that the government should not be intervening in such things then perhaps you would not agree with copyright protection. You may also see the law as a necessary requirement to maintain fair competition.
Either way I think most libertarians would disagree with many aspects of current copyright law. I typed up a rather long diatribe against current copyright law in another thread. I'll find it if you are interested in reading it.
- #9
Chi Meson
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Cyrus said:
I agree with whatever Cyrus says.
- #10
mgb_phys
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A cannibal that only eats people who work with booksdrankin said:
- #11
KingNothing
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I would reason that a typical libertarian believes that if he or she buys a song, he or she rightly owns it and should legally be able to play and share it with friends, but no further than the extent to which they might share non-copyable goods, such as food or games.
- #12
Jimmy Snyder
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A library is all about sharing and librarians should get with the program.
- #13
mgb_phys
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So they think that they should be allowed to read a centuries old fairy tale to the children at bed time without buying a separate client access license for each child? (And a performance license for the act of reading it allowed.)KingNothing said:
- #14
junglebeast
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On the one hand file sharing cheats the authors out of their full potential profits. On the other hand, it raises the level of education and quality of life for EVERYONE. I think that a lot of the rapid advancements of the last 10 years are due in large part to illegal file sharing, which allow information to be disseminated rapidly to anyone who wants it, without monetary boundaries...and I think that the overall effect on our economy and quality of life is enormously positive.
- #15
Evo
Staff Emeritus
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There is nothing wrong with file sharing. If the former OP meant illegal distribution of copyrighted material. No. Locked.