Posted April 23, 2019
TARFU: Ok, let's look at a sword bought from a blacksmith. The blacksmith might refuse to tell you the special technique he may have used to forge the sword, but once you pay him and he gives the sword to you, you can do whatever you want with it. That includes repairing it and trying to forge a similar copy, possibly exact copy if you can figure out his technique. Not to mention that something metal like a sword will last practically forever if cared for.
I just used the book example because books are common and I'd wager that all of us here have read a book, but not necessarily held a sword. Yes, paper books may not last as long as digital information (but maybe so, given the age of some scrolls/manuscripts). Basically, you are saying "humanity didn't have paper for thousands of years, so the concept of owner's rights disappeared once paper was invented", only applied to digital stuff. I disagree with the concept that just because something is digital, you don't own it. And I suspect you must agree with it to some extent as well, or you wouldn't be interested in buying games on GOG. The main feature GOG has to offer is DRM-free games.
amok: lets not look at a sword from a blacksmith, it is still a physical item and does not apply.. so I stopped reading there. I just used the book example because books are common and I'd wager that all of us here have read a book, but not necessarily held a sword. Yes, paper books may not last as long as digital information (but maybe so, given the age of some scrolls/manuscripts). Basically, you are saying "humanity didn't have paper for thousands of years, so the concept of owner's rights disappeared once paper was invented", only applied to digital stuff. I disagree with the concept that just because something is digital, you don't own it. And I suspect you must agree with it to some extent as well, or you wouldn't be interested in buying games on GOG. The main feature GOG has to offer is DRM-free games.
edit - the sword will wear down - digital does not. I can't copy the sword, and instantly send the copy to my friend in china who can copy it again and each will be a perfect copy and so on
edit 2 - and I am saying anything physical (the book, the sword, a stone age club) is different from digital