Bitcoin is to legal tender as torrents are to copyrights!

Regarding a parallel network, I was actually referring to issues raised in this Bitcoin thread http://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=903.0

I am fairly certain that a re-compiled version of bitcoin could alter the 21 million limit prior to release and thereby remove Satoshi as the "ultimate" central banker.  Of course, it would not be part of the original propagated network but it could exist in parallel and it is still too early to declare any winners.  Get ready for multiple bitcoin networks competing on various attributes. Bitcoin will outlive Satoshi and even he would agree with that.

I think assuming 21 million total bitcoin is what is naïve. Satoshi held the keys initially to this maximum amount of this particular release; however, a parallel network could emerge utilizing bitcoin protocol but set with different maximum(s).  Are those "new" bitcoin backward compatible?  It's too early to declare any network effect/reserve currency winners.

For instance, new release block chains could be structured so that only validated digital currency exchangers with auditable gold bullion backing could generate Bitcoin-Au.  At the very least, this bitcoin generation structure would garner trust in excess of just a non-convertible 21 million limit.  Additionally, it shifts the fundamental issue to one of verifiable gold reserves that are at the same type confiscation-proof.