Accessing a publicly available web service is not “taking liberties with things you don’t own”.

If you put a server on the public internet and I send it a message (assuming I’m not using ill-gotten credentials, etc.), anything it responds with is your problem, not mine.

> Same could be said about things in your front yard?

No. It could be said, but wouldn't be true - objects in a domestic front yard are nothing like pamphlets placed on the sidewalk.

Things on sidewalks are not free to take because you can touch them. Just like things in your front yard are not. Just because you can get to it, doesn’t mean it’s yours to take and act upon at will.

Pamphlets are by convention. And even if they weren't, they could be removed on the basis of being on public property anyway.

Not sure if you are deliberately missing the point. The convoluted example was more along the lines of "some company WANTS you to take pamphlets sitting on the ground in front of their store... but only take them while bending over and not while squatting". Also sidewalks are technically public property, while your front yard is a private property.

Not sure why you are acting so obtuse.