Should we debate on the idea of copying someone source/knowledge for using in our works?
Today while I was doing with my code, there was a guy approached me and see my code with several different colours, for variables, comment and different kind of procedures; he then asked me “Why there are many colours?”. I then explained him. He suddenly said “Oh, you are copying… You should create your own works. Don’t be like those Chinese who always copy (he may refers to all those fake products).” He was probably just kidding to me since we mock each others sometimes. And from this short conversation, I am just curious to share my ideas toward COPY culture and raise awareness to those who do not understand it clearly.
Before I start I would like to raise some questions:
– “Is copying illegal?”
– “Is it bad to copy the ideas from someone?”
Well I would say there is no exact answer to these questions. Copying is different from stealing and I would say it is not illegal to copy someone idea/knowledge once it is distributed by the owners and we follow their distribution policy and that’s why we have to study how to cite or give reference to the sources when we use them; however, we should not do if it is prohibited. In this current world, should we always keep creating something new when we already have ones that are available and enough for our requirements? I would say that is stupid to do so. But if we want to make it our own, we should not copy the whole work from others; we should find our own way to use and make it our own with proper citation or usage right. For instance, should Toyota personalise its own screw to use identically with all their cars? If so, everyone may need to create everything new from numbers, characters and so on. Now, people often create new stuff by inherited over the existing ones.
From what I said, I do not mean invention should be ignored; it is highly encouraged for something new or something which is more useful than the existing ones. This world need people to create newly not something that already exist. Many people and organisations are working very hard to discover new knowledge and we should obey their distribution policy when we use.
(This is just from my ideas; not everything is correct including my writing. Any comment, please!)
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