Re:Sharing.... (Score 1)

And I get tired of the "argument" that the store owner _deserves_ to control sales of the "magically-duplicating" chocolate bar.

Disregarding the store-owner:

If a StarTrek-type replicator is created, and it allows you to download a pattern for a chocolate bar or any other item - How long do you think it will be until manufacturers are lobbying for stricter physical item copyright laws?

Cloth makers already crack down on companies that make cheap copies using their brand, and I've seen the argument that if people see their brand on crap clothes their trademark loses in value. But what if you copy the quality and change the name to something else?

Would manufacturers have a right to prevent people from copying their items and giving them away?

I'm just curious.