Theft is a very forced metaphor for software piracy

[Slimebeast]

Onyxmeth said:

Slimebeast said:

 

Obviously it's implied that there are some morals that are practically universal. Theft is one of them. Murder is another. You don't have to believe they are absolute morals (but even some atheists believe in absolute morals - side note) - it's just not practical to debate them, because for example condemnation of theft is universal.

So if I can demonstrate that piracy is in essence the same as theft of a service - again, just like going to the zoo, bus etc without paying, and just like tax evasion - then I've shown it's immoral by universal standards.

So then demonstrate that piracy is a theft of service.

Let's say I held a performance by playing music in a cave outside a middle sized town - the performance is the service. I advertise and set a price on the tickets and put a helper at the entrance to collect fees. But everyone found a little hallway in the back that they sneaked in through without paying.

Since it's a cave, maybe the people wouldn't even be charged for thievery (or technically, intrusion) by the law, but morally they all came in and stole my service and I lost a lot of money, therefore they are thiefs (because the conditions for the service was 'pay and I'll play', or else no concert will be performed).