Eric Takabayashi wrote:

> Kevin Wayne Williams wrote:
> 
> 
>>>Awesome. Even watching a fansub should be subject to criminal penalties.
>>
>>The keyword above was "knowingly." It puts you in the same moral
>>position as someone that is a receiver of stolen goods.
> 
> 
> Yes, I know that is what you meant.
> 
> 
>>>What do you suggest?
>>
>>You know my simple system of penalties: incarceration for the first
>>conviction,
> 
> 
> I don't know or don't remember you ever talking about crime and punishment.

We have discussed it. You had the same incredulous reaction the last time.

> OK. How long?
> Even shoplifting (lowest degree of felony theft, for items under $50) can get one up to 5
> years on the first offense in Hawaii.
> 
> 
>>death for the second.
> 
> 
> All right.
> 
> You realize this probably involves tens of millions of people, if you, like me, include
> trades and downloads of unauthorized mp3s to be theft?

Yes.

> 
> In Japan, it is a crime to lend a video one rented, to a friend. 

Reasonable enough.

> It is also forbidden, though
> I do not know if it is a law, to sell used video games. 

Clearly, in a world where property crimes could result in capital
punishment, the issue of what restrictions could pass on from seller to
buyer would have to be carefully addressed. I don't expect to see my
punishment system adopted by any country. If one did, I certainly hope
they would take careful stock of what was considered illegal in the
first place. It isn't the kind of revision one does without careful
forethought.

KWW