MikroBitti 1/1985, page 6:

Are people copying software criminals?
(Original title: Kopioijatko rikollisia?)

In the previous MikroBitti issue (4/1984) there was a letter to the editor by Johan Hagström titled "The copyright law applies to home computer hobbyists too". In the letter he discussed software copying, which has become a problem here too, and using very harsh words called those who copy criminals.

It's, however, not quite that simple. The legal position of software hasn't been clearly defined in the law. The practices are still taking shape and there is no particular law concerning sofware yet. In general there is an agreement that programs, too, are subject to copyright law.

It's still inconsiderate to start labeling youngsters as criminals, as they often don't know they're doing anything wrong (or at least not very wrong). It's true that the law doesn't consider ignorance as an excuse. In any case, it would be better to try to solve the issue by educating people rather than by threatening or intimidating.

What do you, our reader, think of copying: what is right and wrong? Voice your opinion on BittiPosti and we'll discuss.

Eskoensio Pipatti
Editor in chief