Bitcoin Forum

Bitcoin => Bitcoin Discussion => Topic started by: gabbello on February 28, 2014, 12:16:35 AM



Title: Food for thought
Post by: gabbello on February 28, 2014, 12:16:35 AM
All this discussion about regulation made me think of the following scenarios:

Let's say A and B are work colleagues and one day A takes from B desk a piece of paper.

a. If that piece of paper is just a blank one it would go unnoticed and, even in the crazy scenario that B would sue A for this, nowhere in the world would A  get condemned.

b. If that piece of paper is a confidential contract or smth similar A could have some legal problems.

c. If that piece of paper is a 100 Euro bill, than this is plain stealing, A could theoretically end up in jail for this.

d. If that piece of paper is a BTC wallet, what would happen? "A" could even spend all the BTC from it and then return the paper. I'm quite sure that in most of the countries there would be no laws to condemn A for it.  


is it good..is it bad?
 


Title: Re: Food for thought
Post by: V4Vendettas on February 28, 2014, 12:18:32 AM
What a horrible can of worms for me to go to bed with thanks and night night.


Title: Re: Food for thought
Post by: Vod on February 28, 2014, 12:21:54 AM
All this discussion about regulation made me think of the following scenarios:

Let's say A and B are work colleagues and one day A takes from B desk a piece of paper.

a. If that piece of paper is just a blank one it would go unnoticed and, even in the crazy scenario that B would sue A for this, nowhere in the world would A  get condemned.

b. If that piece of paper is a confidential contract or smth similar A could have some legal problems.

c. If that piece of paper is a 100 Euro bill, than this is plain stealing, A could theoretically end up in jail for this.

d. If that piece of paper is a BTC wallet, what would happen? "A" could even spend all the BTC from it and then return the paper. I'm quite sure that in most of the countries there would be no laws to condemn A for it.  


is it good..is it bad?
 

It doesn't matter what is on the piece of paper.  It is still stealing to take something that does not belong to you without permission.


Title: Re: Food for thought
Post by: gabbello on February 28, 2014, 12:28:38 AM
This is not about the moral act of stealing, is about how laws are applied. And laws, including the ones for stealing, take in consideration the prejudice, so I don't think that in any country you would end up in jail for taking a piece of blank paper.


But if you want it we can make a different scenario where one just scans/take a picture of the QR code from the wallet. And the wallet is in a public space, so you would not mention invasion of privacy or smth. :).



If you aren't the sole controller of your private keys, you don't have any bitcoins.


Yes, and if you are not in charge of your cash you don't own it, but still there are laws which protect me from people that try to steal my cash.


Title: Re: Food for thought
Post by: Vitamin on February 28, 2014, 12:29:18 AM
All this discussion about regulation made me think of the following scenarios:

Let's say A and B are work colleagues and one day A takes from B desk a piece of paper.

a. If that piece of paper is just a blank one it would go unnoticed and, even in the crazy scenario that B would sue A for this, nowhere in the world would A  get condemned.

b. If that piece of paper is a confidential contract or smth similar A could have some legal problems.

c. If that piece of paper is a 100 Euro bill, than this is plain stealing, A could theoretically end up in jail for this.

d. If that piece of paper is a BTC wallet, what would happen? "A" could even spend all the BTC from it and then return the paper. I'm quite sure that in most of the countries there would be no laws to condemn A for it.  


is it good..is it bad?
 

It doesn't matter what is on the piece of paper.  It is still stealing to take something that does not belong to you without permission.

Except that stealing a blank piece paper off my desk because your printer is out is not the same thing as stealing my life savings.  What that piece of paper is makes all the difference of whether or not the theft should be a police matter.


Title: Re: Food for thought
Post by: gabbello on February 28, 2014, 12:47:44 AM

No, those laws don't protect you from people that try to steal your cash, they attempt to bring you some justice after the fact. Protection from theft is something like encrypted cold wallets. The thief can't steal your coins because you've made it practically impossible for him.


I think that in this case laws protect me by inspiring enough fear in those who would like to steal my money.

Basically what you are saying about protection means that if I'm not carrying a gun I should get robbed each day, but this actually does not happen (at least where I am:) ).


Title: Re: Food for thought
Post by: gabbello on February 28, 2014, 12:59:42 AM
Most people aren't thieves

I hope you never need to find out if your theory about most people is true.


Title: Re: Food for thought
Post by: Mike Christ on February 28, 2014, 01:01:20 AM
Most people aren't thieves

I hope you never need to find out if your theory about most people is true.

More evidence that the general populace is driven by fear alone :P