infinity_turtles said:
How about this justification:
Libraries are places that host other people's intellectual property that you can view for free while the creator makes no money off of it, whether you enjoy it or not.
Torrent sites are places that host other people's intellectual property that you can view for free while the creator makes no money off of it, whether you enjoy it or not.
There are only three real differences; amount of content, ease of access, social acceptance.
No no and no. There are some much bigger differences. Firstly, one of the justifications behind a library is that our societies all accept books as an almost universally good thing. We WANT people to read, because it's good for them. We all like music, movies, and games, but it's hard to argue that they're as good for you as reading is. That is to say that a library is a social service that is provided to the public because it's good for them, while piracy doesn't benefit anyone in any real way.
Second, the cost of writing a book is dwarfed by the cost of recording music, which is dwarfed by the cost of shooting a film, which is dwarfed by the cost of making a game. If you wanted to put the time and effort into it, you could write a book yourself, a book with any plot you wanted, anything you wanted could happen, you're unlimited. When you're recording music, however, unlike with writing (where the only necessary resources are either a computer or an ample supply of pens and paper) making music takes a higher investment on the part of the artist. Still, music can still be made by an individual, but when we start to talk about film, any individual is severly limited, the cost of shooting the movies we go to see at the theatre today is rediculous. And the cost of creating a videogame is beyond rediculous.
And finally, the artist whose book is in a library actually is getting paid. Granted, it's only for one copy of the book (the copy purchased by the library), but one copy sold is certainly better than nothing. And while they may not be free, there are similar rental services for movies and games, so the creator is still getting some money. Also, with the library/rental system, you are not actually getting to keep the thing you purchased. The thing pirates never seem to get through their skulls, no matter how many times I explain it, is that when you are buying a book, musical work, film, or game, you do not actually buy that work. What you're buying is a lisence to ONE copy of that work. You are free to share that one lisence, but while you're sharing it you are unable to use it yourself. Just like if you lent someone a chair, a toaster, an item of jewelery, or any other physical item that could be stolen. Libraries and rental services share their lisence. And if you buy a game and lend it to your friend, you're sharing your lisence. But if you copy the game and distribute copies to others, then you are no longer sharing your lisence, because you still have the ability to play the game while those who never purchased, borrowed, or rented a lisence are able to play it as well.
