(OT) Re: "Piracy" (was: Unauthorized copying

From: Paul <subsolar_at_subsolar.org>
Date: Sun Jan 19 02:29:11 2003

On Sat, 2003-01-18 at 12:39, Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) wrote:
> On Sat, 18 Jan 2003, Wayne M. Smith wrote:
> > > 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."
>
> 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.
Received on Sun Jan 19 2003 - 02:29:11 GMT