Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
Mon, 2012-01-23 18:34
Yes, piracy is now a religious act.
As it becomes easier to copy information products, we're bound to see reactions like this. Just as SOPA is the response of an industry reluctant to try and change and adapt to new methods of distribution and new potential avenues of profit (such as providing shows for free online with built-in ads, or an ad-free subscription service, or both alongside each other), this is the response of those who believe that the reduced cost of information distribution should make such things freely available.
As technology advances, more and more products will be able to be pirated. Today, we're talking about pirating movies, but what about when you can pirate furniture from IKEA? Or food templates from Gordon Ramsey?
Those "You wouldn't steal a car, would you?" ads would get a lot more poignant.
__________________
[@-rep +1, f-rep +2]
Mon, 2012-01-23 21:13
#2
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
And just because your religion says an act is moral or even required doesn't mean the laws have to agree (just try to implement biblical justice or a bit of human sacrifice)..
Not in Sweden, but in general religion can give you a free card to bypass laws. In one case Native Americans are able to use drugs that would otherwise be prohibited, and ritual slaughter of animals is allowed for religious ceremonies that would be banned from regular use. __________________
Mankind must shed its meat chrysalis and become our true selves. We will take wing and leave for unguessable spheres
Tue, 2012-01-24 04:46
#3
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
Of course, Kopimism might not matter much: the benefits of being recognized as a religion in Sweden are slim to none. And just because your religion says an act is moral or even required doesn't mean the laws have to agree (just try to implement biblical justice or a bit of human sacrifice). What really matters is when groups of people show strong and consistent beliefs and practices: that's when things really begin to matter socially, not when you get a signed piece of paper.
A large amount of American law is precedence. By being recognized by another nation, Kopimism has a better chance of being recognized in the US as an actual faith... and faiths in the US enjoy a large amount of benefits, especially privacy priveleges. Just think: if it got recognized in the US as a faith, then file transactions over the net could be classified privelege; the equivalent of confessing to a priest.
That said, it's going to be hard to push it as a faith here. You'd have to get a LOT of support. It took an entire state full of Mormons to get it recognized as a faith... and Scientology had the backing of wealthy and influential people. Kopimism isn't going to get far here if all they have is grassroots support and the backing of pirates that aren't spending money.
CONVERT TODAY!!!!!
__________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, 1787
"That sounds like heresy. We're going to wipe you from the history books for that crap!" - Texas Board of Education, Ruling on March 12th, 2010
Tue, 2012-01-24 05:23
#4
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
I wonder about the Kopimism church view on forks, that is .. Are their members open for each other (or outsiders) to copy/fork. Are that information free as well?
And can parents copy/fork their children.
__________________
"To find fault is easy; to do better may be difficult."
Plutarch
Tue, 2012-01-24 06:53
#5
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
I wonder about the Kopimism church view on forks, that is .. Are their members open for each other (or outsiders) to copy/fork. Are that information free as well?
And can parents copy/fork their children.
Probably something that they'll figure out when that technology comes around. 
__________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, 1787
"That sounds like heresy. We're going to wipe you from the history books for that crap!" - Texas Board of Education, Ruling on March 12th, 2010
Tue, 2012-01-24 13:23
#6
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
Don't get too excited. Religious rights are a lot slimmer when it hurts campaign dollars.
Tue, 2012-01-24 22:26
#7
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
I wonder about the Kopimism church view on forks, that is .. Are their members open for each other (or outsiders) to copy/fork. Are that information free as well?
The Kopimism folks (I hang out with a few of them) are okay with my various processing instances, bots, and constructs copying themselves to carry out certain tasks more efficiently while the rest of me is at work, so I would call that a qualified 'yes'. __________________
I am everywhere.
Wed, 2012-01-25 04:46
#8
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
Don't get too excited. Religious rights are a lot slimmer when it hurts campaign dollars.
On the contrary. Politicians tend to fight harder for religions that are giving them campaign dollars. How do you think Scientology has fared so well despite public backlash? If Kopimism can gain backers with wealth in the US, it has an actual chance of getting legitimized. Then, we can fight for sharing rights in the same way that the anti-gay and pro-life agendas get pushed in the Legislative branch.
Long story short, Kopimism needs lobbyists.
__________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, 1787
"That sounds like heresy. We're going to wipe you from the history books for that crap!" - Texas Board of Education, Ruling on March 12th, 2010
Wed, 2012-01-25 06:08
#9
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
Long story short, Kopimism needs lobbyists.
And lobbyists need pay.
Certainly there are people willing to do lobbying out of idealism, but any organisation needs funding in order to be effective. Otherwise the lobbyists will need to spend part of their time working to pay the rent, and cannot use that time and energy to convince people.
Note that in a rep economy rent and food is not so much an issue, and people make a lot of rep by lobbying (their supporters give them rep, and things). So I would expect *a lot* more lobbyists in post scarcity rep economies than money economies. Puts a new spin on the Titanian Plurality.
__________________
Wed, 2012-01-25 14:01
#10
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
Indeed, while a religion with money tends to be well-protected, one which doesn't make any money probably ... wont be. Especially when its competition is the MPAA and RIAA.
Wed, 2012-01-25 15:52
#11
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
wonder if calling the Kopimism law the "Share-ya" would be a good idea, in those conditions!
(I know, that was bad! got 1D10/2 SV for it!)
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Thu, 2012-01-26 02:16
#12
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
And lobbyists need pay.
Certainly there are people willing to do lobbying out of idealism, but any organisation needs funding in order to be effective. Otherwise the lobbyists will need to spend part of their time working to pay the rent, and cannot use that time and energy to convince people.
Note that in a rep economy rent and food is not so much an issue, and people make a lot of rep by lobbying (their supporters give them rep, and things). So I would expect *a lot* more lobbyists in post scarcity rep economies than money economies. Puts a new spin on the Titanian Plurality.
To be fair, much of the internet subculture is fueled heavily by donation support. I'm sure that if it garners enough attention on the internet, Kopimism could get enough donation resources to gain heavy influence. It's just a matter of them doing it, and whether or not they'd be willing to try.
__________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, 1787
"That sounds like heresy. We're going to wipe you from the history books for that crap!" - Texas Board of Education, Ruling on March 12th, 2010
Fri, 2012-01-27 16:02
#13
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
To be fair, much of the internet subculture is fueled heavily by donation support. I'm sure that if it garners enough attention on the internet, Kopimism could get enough donation resources to gain heavy influence. It's just a matter of them doing it, and whether or not they'd be willing to try.
The Kopimism crew is already heavily invested (hee) in Flattr, and they also back one another with storage and computational resources, so it is a strong possibility. If it really catches on, it will grow slowly but probably steadily. __________________
I am everywhere.
Tue, 2012-01-31 14:40
#14
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
To be fair, much of the internet subculture is fueled heavily by donation support. I'm sure that if it garners enough attention on the internet, Kopimism could get enough donation resources to gain heavy influence. It's just a matter of them doing it, and whether or not they'd be willing to try.
I consider myself fairly well off in the world, but my discretionary income to donate for political movements I support is certainly outweighed by the profit margin any of the major industries make on me. And for every one person who is politically motivated enough to support a cause, there's at least 100 who are not (but in this case, who are still supporting 'the other side' through their buying habits).
The math just doesn't work out. Until you can 'steal' lobbyists, Kopimism will never be truly politically competitive.
Tue, 2012-01-31 23:02
#15
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
I consider myself fairly well off in the world, but my discretionary income to donate for political movements I support is certainly outweighed by the profit margin any of the major industries make on me. And for every one person who is politically motivated enough to support a cause, there's at least 100 who are not (but in this case, who are still supporting 'the other side' through their buying habits).
The math just doesn't work out. Until you can 'steal' lobbyists, Kopimism will never be truly politically competitive.
You are working under the premise that no wealthy people would be willing to support such an organization, whereas I would tend to disagree. There are a multitude of wealthy people who very much might support a group trying to vie for relaxed copyright laws.
__________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, 1787
"That sounds like heresy. We're going to wipe you from the history books for that crap!" - Texas Board of Education, Ruling on March 12th, 2010
Wed, 2012-02-01 10:10
#16
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
There are a multitude of wealthy people who very much might support a group trying to vie for relaxed copyright laws.
Are there as many are there are wealthy people who support increased copyright laws that directly benefit their bank accounts and/or shareholders?
__________________
"I think love and sex are separate and only vaguely similar. Like the word bear and the word bare. You can get in trouble mistaking one for the other." - Harlan Ellison
Fri, 2012-02-03 00:36
#17
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
Are there as many are there are wealthy people who support increased copyright laws that directly benefit their bank accounts and/or shareholders?
That isn't really a necessity. All that is needed is that someone actually front the money. At a certain point, the amount of money becomes trivial. This is why Scientology is recognized, despite the vast wealth of many of its detractors. Kopimism isn't lobbying for world domination, just legal acknowledgement.
__________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, 1787
"That sounds like heresy. We're going to wipe you from the history books for that crap!" - Texas Board of Education, Ruling on March 12th, 2010
Fri, 2012-02-03 11:10
#18
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
This is why Scientology is recognized, despite the vast wealth of many of its detractors.
That and, as far as I know, no one's bothered to front a lot of money to lobby against Scientology.
__________________
"I think love and sex are separate and only vaguely similar. Like the word bear and the word bare. You can get in trouble mistaking one for the other." - Harlan Ellison
Sat, 2012-02-04 10:40
#19
Re: Kopimism - The Church of Piracy
That and, as far as I know, no one's bothered to front a lot of money to lobby against Scientology.
Actually, quite a few have. Many churches did through the 80s, and both the IRS and FBI had been having battles with the group intermittently since the late 50s. Still, despite having their tax status revoked in the late 60s, they had it restored in '93.
They've always been a very controversial organization.
__________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, 1787
"That sounds like heresy. We're going to wipe you from the history books for that crap!" - Texas Board of Education, Ruling on March 12th, 2010
I have always wanted to ask content people whether they would copy a nice steak they saw.
Of course, Kopimism might not matter much: the benefits of being recognized as a religion in Sweden are slim to none. And just because your religion says an act is moral or even required doesn't mean the laws have to agree (just try to implement biblical justice or a bit of human sacrifice). What really matters is when groups of people show strong and consistent beliefs and practices: that's when things really begin to matter socially, not when you get a signed piece of paper.