We set sail from For Lauderdale with a good sized collection of DVDs. We have movies, TV series and various other diversions to keep us busy on passages and rainy days. Cruisers love DVDs. Almost everyone has a laptop and thus at least one way of watching movies. While there's nothing wrong with exploring paradise it is nice to watch a cheesy Hollywood production now and again if just to get a taste of home.

While not surprised, I am disheartened to see how many places around the world sell stolen property. Movies are the property of the studio that created them (or whoever they've sold the rights to). Just because it is easy to copy a movie these days does not make it ok to steal. Large otherwise reputable stores are involved in some countries. "Would you like and original or a copy of that movie? The original is $30 and the copy is $5". Statistics show illegal DVD production as an important source of funds for many criminal organizations that are also involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking and assorted violent crimes (mpaa.org).

I am surprised how many people, in particular those who know better, are willing to involve themselves in theft of intellectual property. Movies, navigation software, books, music, you name it. Stealing denies the property's creators of revenue they need to stay in business or, in the best case, just makes the rest of us pay more. Why otherwise wonderful people do this I can not understand.