[MrScott]

If it were as black and white as some here argue there should be/would be no time limit on copyright; the intent of time limits is to strike a fair balance between compensation for the creator and benefit to the consumers, without whom the creator could not be compensated.

The mob of illegal downloaders is a reaction to what, apparently the majority of consumers believe is an unfair balance. They did not create this situation, they are reacting to it; the recording industry (which is now arguing 'compensation') did and I wonder where in their morality personal accountability lies.

I think we all agree no one should profit from someone else's work without compensating them, so limiting the discussion to personal use, a sincere question for those advocating strict copyright law: Should every guy who builds an RS replica in his garage pay royalties to Porsche for that design?