Is Sharing Software Capitalist or Communist?

[ Thanks to D.C. Parris for this link. ]

"When the idea of sharing software comes up, people frequently break out in debates over Capitalism vs. Communism. It doesn't take long before someone starts equating--derisively, no less--sharing software with Communism. But since when did the Communists corner the market on sharing?

"Frankly, I don't believe Free Software is much of a Capitalist idea. Nor do I view libre software as particularly Communist. I view it as eco-politically neutral. But sharing has, in fact, been a staple of early childhood education--at least when I was a child (60's-70's). Yet, by the time you reach college, you're being taught to 'protect' your ideas (via copyrights & patents). What changed? Why the sudden back-peddling on sharing...?"

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