Computer Piracy on College Campuses

Regardless of their claims to the contrary, it’s obvious that the college students engaged in pirating intellectual property know what they are doing is wrong (“Pirated Files Clog College Networks,” Dec. 2).

The students use the classic excuses of any run-of-the-mill criminal: I’m stealing from wealthy, greedy people, so it’s OK; everyone else is doing it; I steal only occasionally; the product is overpriced and I cannot afford to pay for it.

The college students know that the only real difference between their online theft and shoplifting is the risk of being escorted out of the store in handcuffs.

Chris Norlin

Los Angeles