Code not physical property

[Texashiker]

How can you steal something that is not considered physical property

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/04/code-not-physical-property/

Former Goldman Sachs programmer Sergey Aleynikov, who downloaded source code for the investment firm’s high-speed trading system from the company’s computers, was wrongly charged with theft of property because the code did not qualify as a physical object under a federal theft statute, according to a court opinion published Wednesday.

 

[Ausm]

How can you steal something that does not exist?

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/04/code-not-physical-property/

So if I download the source code for Windows 8 then Microshaft couldn't do shit about it either?

 

[Capt Caveman]

/facepalm

It does exist, it's just not considered physical property.

 

[DrPizza]

You've never heard of intellectual property?

edit: *sigh* I'm detecting a growing theme here...

Here you go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property
and here's how the FBI considers the theft of intellectual property a major issue: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/cyber/ipr/ipr

edit edit: next is when you quote me, leave out the links I provided, then accuse me of not adding anything to the thread.

 

[gevorg]

There was no physical theft, obviously, but he did "stole" intellectual property of GS. This case should go under corporate espionage charges, not physical theft. Similar to that ex-Intel engineer who brought trade secrets to AMD.

In the 21st century, you would think that these kind of things would be already sorted out in the legal system, if only the old fart judges and politicians would allow software/technology experts in their "club".

 

[rudder]

ummm patents?

 

[Texashiker]

Here you go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property
and here's how the FBI considers the theft of intellectual property a major issue: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/cyber/ipr/ipr

edit edit: next is when you quote me, leave out the links I provided, then accuse me of not adding anything to the thread.

Well, actually, the only thing you contributed is a so far is a couple of links.

Do you have an opinion you wish to share? Something you can think of on your own without links?

Can someone "steal" intellectual property? The owner of the property has not been deprived of using the property, as would be with a car, truck, boat,,, and something else of a physical nature.

We have copyright infringement; but doesn't copyright infringement only apply if someone copies and distributes the intellectual property?

~ EDIT ~

Lets say you download a youtube video of lady gaga. You do not share the video, the video file for your own private use, have any laws be broken?

 

[dmcowen674]

Obviously the OP was not around in 2000 when I was charged for 120 years and $1 million dollars for 415K of non-physical data transfer.

 

[cybrsage]

I bet these judges would rule differently if someone stole all their digital information and posted it all on the web.

 

[PrinceofWands]

So if I download the source code for Windows 8 then Microshaft couldn't do shit about it either?

Depends...are you a rich white guy?

 

[OutHouse]

Obviously the OP was not around in 2000 when I was charged for 120 years and $1 million dollars for 415K of non-physical data transfer.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1782050.stm

THIEF!!!!

i kid, i kid.