Kenneth, the act of duplicating is carried out by the sharer. I'm sure they'll say, "but Dude, I wouldn't actually buy this, but I'll just take it for free."

By the way, what is illegal IS the copying itself. That's why it is called a copyright. Only the owner has a right to copy. It becomes another, separate infringement to sell.

We can borrow a book from a library. The library either already paid the copyright owner, or was excused by the owner, and they now own that copy. Then we return the book. If we don't return it, it is considered "stolen." Now, if we copy that book, sit down and write out the whole darn thing by hand. Then we've "copied" it and we do not have the "right" to "copy" because we don't have the "copyright."

It has nothing to do with the "common good." I can buy a book of porn and give it away and also let thousands read it. Many would say that wasn't providing "common good," but it still does not infringe the copyright, because I never copied it. I can sell the book I bought, but can't make a copy of it, or sell an unauthorized copy. (notice that word...AUTHORized? Pretty clever these wordmakers.) There are a few "fair use" applications for education and even for home use, but I don't know the fine details of all that.

You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music