[Upd-discuss] Re: [upd-announce] Updates on the A2K Treaty Negotiation in Geneva

[Richard M. Stallman]

    What will we answer when someone will demonstrate that there are  
    better tools than PD to help developing third-world countries ?

I agree with you that we have to be very careful when we cite
development as the justification for copyright or patent law.  It's a
possible benefit, but we can't judge them solely by their benefits,
we have to consider the price society pays for them too.

My response would be that "help" is not defined just in economic terms,
and that people in these countries deserve respect for their freedom
as much as people anywhere else.