A Serious Question For Craig

[larryguitar]

I like HC, like the way you run it and think you've made some great improvements (all the pro reviews, for instance) since you took the helm.

I do have one question, though:

We have yet another counterfeit guitar for sale in the 'for sale' forum. You know, the forum just a few forums below this one dedicated to combating counterfeit guitars.:facepalm:

Now, HC doesn't allow discussion of pirating software, illegally downloading music or drug use. Makes sense, since many of us don't want to feel like part of a community that seems to approve, tacitly or otherwise, of illegal stuff.

Now, if illegally downloading is theft (it is) and using warez is theft (it is) why wouldn't selling counterfeit guitars be theft? And if HC takes a stand against those kinds of theft, why does it turn a blind eye to people trading, quite openly, in counterfeit guitars that sell for hundreds of dollars?

I'm genuinely confused, and hoping you can clarify. If HC officially allows trading in counterfeit guitars, I'll stop bitching at the people doing it. If HC dosn't officially allow trading in counterfeit guitars, how can we help stop it?

[germanicus2112]

Actually illegal downloading/warez is NOT theft. Its violation of intellectual property rights. Theft you are depriving others of property. Illegal downloading violates the rights of exclusivity held by another. Its of course wrong/immoral, and illegal, but its not theft of property.

[larryguitar]

Well, let's let 'theft' represent a moral error, rather than trying to parse the words used rather than the intent expressed, OK?

[daddymack]

Larry, please PM me the specifics about this counterfeit and I will be glad to investigate and take corrective action.

[Anderton]

Daddymack has it right. If we're alerted to counterfeits, we remove them.

We can't prevent people from posting these things, but we can delete them once we know what's going on.

You have it right: HC is against theft of intellectual property.

[the stranger]

"doesn't allow discussion of drug use"

:)

He hasn't been in OJ or PP, has he? ;)

[gtrjones]

Everytime I see a counterfeit for sale in the emporiums, I report it. I assume it goes to 'arracado', the listed moderator. 90% of the time, those posts are still there days later, with up to 5 pages of flamefest about illegal counterfeit guitars.

So if y'all are serious about wanting these sales reported, please show us you're serious by actually doing something with them when they're reported.

And while we're at it, I'm assuming by the statement "HC is against the theft of intellectual property" that you will also pull strat/tele parts / relic guitars with aftermarket decals? Cause I've reported those as well, and NEVER seen one of them pulled.

[larryguitar]

Daddymack has it right. If we're alerted to counterfeits, we remove them.

We can't prevent people from posting these things, but we can delete them once we know what's going on.

You have it right: HC is against theft of intellectual property.

That's reassuring.

It would be more reassuring if the thread were gone, somehow. :confused:

[larryguitar]

Thread's still there-so was there a change of heart, a change of policy?