Sweden recognises new file-sharing religion Kopimism

A "church" whose central tenet is the right to file-share has been formally recognised by the Swedish government.

The Church of Kopimism claims that "kopyacting" - sharing information through copying - is akin to a religious service.

The "spiritual leader" of the church said recognition was a "large step".

But others were less enthusiastic and said the church would do little to halt the global crackdown on piracy.

It doesn't mean illegal file-sharing will become legal, any more than if 'Jedi' was recognised as a religion everyone would be walking around with light sabres' - Mark Mulligan

The Swedish government agency Kammarkollegiet finally registered the Church of Kopimism as a religious organisation shortly before Christmas, the group said.

"We had to apply three times," said Gustav Nipe, chairman of the organisation.

The church, which holds CTRL+C and CTRL+V (shortcuts for copy and paste) as sacred symbols, does not directly promote illegal file sharing, focusing instead on the open distribution of knowledge to all.

It was founded by 19-year-old philosophy student and leader Isak Gerson. He hopes that file-sharing will now be given religious protection.

BBC News - Sweden recognises new file-sharing religion Kopimism

How can this be possible. Filesharing is theft. You can't have a religion that enshrines the right to break and enter so how can you have one for filesharing. How can it even fit the definition of a religion when it is not centralised around or even involved with belief in a divine or supernatural power.

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Originally Posted by Looper

Filesharing is theft

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If I lent you a book, DVD or CD, are you stealing ?

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Originally Posted by Looper

How can this be possible. Filesharing is theft. You can't have a religion that enshrines the right to break and enter so how can you have one for filesharing.

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But promoting murder for non-believers is OK?

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Originally Posted by Looper

How can it even fit the definition of a religion when it is not centralised around or even involved with belief in a divine or supernatural power.

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So Buddhism should be banned?

Interesting because this story appeared today:

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Computer giant Microsoft is suing Comet alleging the electrical retailer created and sold 'fake' Windows recovery discs.
The company alleges Comet sold 94,000 counterfeit Windows XP and Vista recovery CDs which it said were made in a factory in Hampshire and then sold in its stores in the UK.
The discs are given to buyers of Windows-loaded PCs to help them recover their operating systems in the event of a crash – usually on CDs provided with the machines.


Read more: Comet sued by Microsoft after chain sold 94,000 'counterfeit' Windows recovery discs to customers | Mail Online

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It does contradict itself in that it says they were given to buyers, then says they were sold. But if Microsoft, to save a few quid, decided to stop giving users recovery discs, is it wrong for a vendor to provide them to boost business?

If they aren't charging for the discs, I think not, there is no theft here.

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Originally Posted by sabaii sabaii

If I lent you a book, DVD or CD, are you stealing ?

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Lending and copying are not the same thing. Copying is worse. Copying and filesharing are not the same thing. File sharing is worse still since it is mass distribution without remuneration to the artists and producers which has a much more significant econmic impact on the industries involved.

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Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

But promoting murder for non-believers is OK?

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Some religions promote illegal activities as part of their spiritual belief system but this organistion does not promote any spiritual belief system only illegal file sharing.

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Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

So Buddhism should be banned?

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Even under a broader definition of religion i.e. general spirituality (which would include Buddhism) rather than deity worshipping this filesharing organisation would not really qualify.

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Originally Posted by Looper

Even under a broader definition of religion i.e. general spirituality (which would include Buddhism) rather than deity worshipping this filesharing organisation would not really qualify.

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Bow before the ctrl C you heathen....

Are you religious Looper ?
Here, borrow this Audio Bible :)

The Holy Bible - Dramatized - The New Living Translation - Audio (download torrent) - TPB

I already have a real hardback St. James bible thankyou Sabai. It is a Gideon's edition which I stole from a hotel in Perth.

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Originally Posted by Looper

I already have a real hardback St. James bible thankyou Sabai. It is a Gideon's edition which I stole from a hotel in Perth.

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Technically you didn't steal it, since the Gideons encourage people to take them.

You're going to have to work harder on your sinning, my son.

:)

What is a Gideon anyway? I always imagine it as a small horse with wings that glows kind of blueish pink in the dark and flies into hotel rooms at early hours of the morning in a trail of sparkly fairy dust and looks kindly on me as I sleep.