Jordan Kendrick :popos: (@jordan_kendrick@fosstodon.org)
fosstodon.org
@Ertain@mast.linuxgamecast.com @gamingonlinux@mastodon.social If purchasing isn’t owning, then piracy isn’t stealing.

I am ashamed that I hadn’t reasoned this through given all the rubbish digital services have pulled with “purchases” being lies.

  • Burn_The_Right@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    7 months ago

    I’m not going to look up every state, but the Penal Code in some states explicitly define theft as:

    A person commits an offense if he unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of property.

    So, I think it is reasonable to include intent to deprive as part of the definition.

    • Stuka@lemmy.worldEnglish
      18·
      7 months ago

      You do understand the difference between penal code and the definition of a word, no? Surely the reason why the two are not at all even slightly interchangeable is plainly clear to anyone of reasonable intelligence.

      • Burn_The_Right@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        7 months ago

        In the state where I live, the penal code includes the legal definitions of words such as “theft”.

        The legal system here does not use a Webster’s dictionary to define words. We use the penal code, code of criminal procedure, traffic code and other legal guidance codes to define the meanings of words used in the law and in official government communications.

        These are the definitions that would be used by complainants in cases brought against pirates, if such a case were to be brought. For that reason, I believe these definitions are relevant here.

      • floppade [he/him]@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        7 months ago

        I don’t think you understand how laws work. Many times, they are required to define terms in order to enforce the law.