Clearly under current law, the Chinese are violating a whole bunch of
laws and treaties. But what if, like many companies that are selling
software via the Internet, the CD was designed to "blow up" (not work)
after a certain period if the registration fee wasn't paid? But you
could test it for 30 days for free? I'm currently using a program
like this.
Like the student with the quiz, had the teacher written the rules a
little tighter there would not be a problem. Those who have an
interest in intellectual property have an obligation to figure out
ways to protect it. The technologies/definitions/rules are changing.
We need to be able to change with it. If we can't, then people will
make money off our ideas and we won't.
Maybe we need a system, like Star Trek, where money and basic survival
needs are met for all and we are left to get other kinds of rewards
more valuable than money? Hmmmm.
Mike Hamende
hamendem@cts.db.erau.edu