During a demonstration executives said the intention was to let users "flow" through applications using swipes and other gestures rather than copy the "in and out" nature experienced when navigating rivals' devices.

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This makes sense given that the guidelines in current form are meant to apply only to data on information technology systems rather than hard-copy storage, with portal providers receiving and making use of some of the heaviest volume of customer data in China.

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The record labels disagree, noting, among other things, that ReDigi is making a new copy of each file rather than re-selling the original copy, and that individuals have the ability to maintain copies of the files on other devices, which cannot be accomplished as easily in the hard-copy context.

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People opt to send forms and letters via email rather than printing and mailing a hard copy.

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It is as if the Europeans have chosen to copy Mr Bush, rather than convert him.

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Although some leading Vatican cardinals have opened personal Twitter accounts, they are the exception rather than the rule within the Holy See, which traditionally commits all important communications to hard copy.

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Rather than send nine copies of a document to nine people in different regions, it broadcasts one copy to Aetna's network, which an infinite number of people can access.

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The fact that some markets, including Wall Street's, recovered quickly suggests that the fall was based on short-lived copy-cat behaviour by traders worried by steep share-price drops in Hong Kong, rather than by important new information about the value of American shares.

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And, most typically, competitors copy the project and achieve the same results, leading to price reductions across the board benefitting customers rather than company profits.

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