18 Jan
2003
18 Jan
'03
6:29 p.m.
On Sat, 2003-01-18 at 12:39, Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) wrote:
On Sat, 18 Jan 2003, Wayne M. Smith wrote:
It is commonly believed that the very first time that unauthorized copying
of software was called "PIRACY" was the open letter by Bill Gates.
Does anybody have an earlier referrent?
Since when does copying some data equate to boarding a ship, raping &
killing the passengers and crew, and sinking it?
I though that is the first use of the term in reference to copyright
infringement.
Paul
piracy
\Pi"ra*cy\, n.; pl. Piracies. [Cf. LL. piratia, Gr. ?. See Pirate.]
1. The act or crime of a pirate.
2. (Common Law) Robbery on the high seas; the taking of property from
others on the open sea by open violence; without lawful authority, and
with intent to steal; -- a crime answering to robbery on land.
Unauthorized copying is, under some (but not all)
cirucumstances, illegal and/or unethical, but it is NOT
theft. It is a different sort of offsense.
I believe that the commonly applied
term is "piracy."