Aside from the legal technicalities here, I mostly ponder the future of IP. I think Napster positively affected the music distribution world in the long run. I am not very black-and-white on this issue, however, since there are many contradictions by both sides.<p>I read the majority of comments here on HN about dated business models, big corporation dislike, the old executives don't understand the new market, etc..., but then a young indie artist in LA finds out Zara the clothing retailer has obviously copied her designs, and the lynch mobs are out to boycott Zara, send letters and other things to Zara and their attorneys. [1]<p>I have not inquired directly, but I am guessing a number of the indie artist's supporters have downloaded a torrent or two. How do they morally distinguish the two, or how does anybody who is against copyright or property rights of IP?<p>[1] <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/victoriasanusi/an-independent-artist-has-accused-zara-of-stealing-her-desig?utm_term=.duwxvQBeek#.hr3OM54qqg" rel="nofollow">https://www.buzzfeed.com/victoriasanusi/an-independent-artis...</a>