Does using unlicenced software make one a pirate?

[drbuzz0]

Or for that matter, bootleg videos or music you don't pay for or other unlicenced intelectual property from p2p?

Does that make one a real pirate? Or do you actually have to... ya know... go out and attack unarmed merchant vessels and forced the crew to hand over valuables and such? Because that's a LOT harder

[Almighty Doer of Stuff]

Neither. Read the Gospel, and you will find that pirates are peace-loving explorers who like to eat pasta and give candy to children. Their reputation was smeared by other religions, however, so the modern, mainstream uses of the word "pirate" are quite different from the word's original meaning.

[OZ_Nick]

Yers, givin candy ter the kiddies be jess the thing fer distractin their mummies so as ye kin steal their jewellery and empty their purse o enny dubloons wot be lookin fer a new home*...










* new home be a teknikal term fer a pirate's treasure chest

[black bart]

Or for that matter, bootleg videos or music you don't pay for or other unlicenced intelectual property from p2p?

Does that make one a real pirate? Or do you actually have to... ya know... go out and attack unarmed merchant vessels and forced the crew to hand over valuables and such? Because that's a LOT harder

Arrrrrrrr...Welcome matey, I loiks the cut o yer jib. Can ye do me a couple o hundred copies o 'Debby does Dallas' on DVD loik?

[The Black Spot]

I were wundrin' if 'ee could rustle up a copy o' "Peggy Does Portsmouth." It were banned not so much fer its sexual content, but because Big Ron complained that it would put people off buyin' his sausages.

[drbuzz0]

I did read that pirates are fun loving explorers and I figured that was part of the job in general, but my understanding of pirates has generally been that they are considered unprotected and "illegal" sailors who generally are not declared to a port of call. (With the exception of pirateers who are hired sanctioned by a power to go after enemy vessels)

And that generally these sailors were characterized by their attacking and extorting of merchant and occasionally passenger vessles as well as the occasional attack on remote colonies. Generally they would either take valuable cargo or sometimes the ship itself sometimes by deadly force but always at least by threat. And also that kidnapping for ransom or as a terror tactic along with extorting governments or merchants for money for safe passage as well as general rape and pillaging were the hallmark of the pirate.

I did not realize that exploring and eating pasta were mutually exclusive. Also, I know that there are still pirates around the horn of Africa and in the South Asia area. I actually talked to a guy I know in the Navy about it. Obviously the navy vessles don't get attacked as they are too hard, but on the rare occasion that a navy vessel is in the area where a merchant is attacked and calls for help, the standing orders for pirates are shoot to kill, as they are considered illegitimate vessels and not afforded any protection by international law thus making them fair game... assuming you are sure they are indeed conducting attacks on neutral unarmed vessels.

It appears that most sea-going parties have very low opinions of pirates.

[DaveL]

It appears that most sea-going parties have very low opinions of pirates.

YArrrr...

O'im afraid the characters round here won't enhance the image of Pirates either matey. They are a dastardly bunch at the best of toimes.

[black bart]

Wig wearin blaggards the lot o em! Don't trust em I say...how much longer fer the DVDs matey?

[PantyGnawer]

Arrrrrrrr...Welcome matey, I loiks the cut o yer jib. Can ye do me a couple o hundred copies o 'Debby does Dallas' on DVD loik?

Oi can point ye to a free copy of that classic, but ye'l ave to burn yer own copies.

I were wundrin' if 'ee could rustle up a copy o' "Peggy Does Portsmouth." It were banned not so much fer its sexual content, but because Big Ron complained that it would put people off buyin' his sausages.

[anthrobabe]

Peggy does anything has been banned in most civilised communities

it also puts people off the Benbows snout in a bun as well.

[OZ_Nick]

Yarr, that may well be, but Oi 'ave founded that those wot come back fer a second sausageinnabun don't seem ter be put off by many things...

[~NoodleDemon~]

...How subtle...

[black bart]

Yarr, that may well be, but Oi 'ave founded that those wot come back fer a second sausageinnabun don't seem ter be put off by many things...

Probably the same people what lost their teeth in a Redde Cowwe Pie! They has to have somat they can suck on.

[DaveL]

YArrrrrr...

Candied magot anyone??

[PantyGnawer]

PG sneaks in and steals all your rum