[CM30]

No different to starting a company that lets people get cheaper rides while avoiding taxi restrictions or one that lets you find cheaper places to stay by avoiding hotel and zoning laws.

A lot of successful startups and internet businesses are done on a 'break an awkward law first, ask for permission later' kind of way. There's a reason a common startup mantra is 'it's better to beg for forgiveness rather than ask permission'.

And yes, YouTube is another obvious example here. Wouldn't have been anywhere near as popular if it was so strict on copyright right from the start.

[mcappleton]

I think republishing someone else's work without permission them is morally wrong, but offering a taxi ride is only wrong insofar as it is illegal. One is a good law protecting content creators, the other is crony capitalism. So I think there is a difference.

[kpil]

The taxi market differs between countries, but in those markets where the regulations are there to protect the riders and drivers, ie minimum wages, proper tax handling, health insurance, passenger's insurance, etc, Uber is morality wrong in just the same way.