For one, I need to respect copyright because it is the law regarding creative works. Breaking the law is not only illegal but (usually) immoral, and I must be a law abiding citizen to not only be a role model, but to stay out of prison so that I may develop video games. As well, I as an artist must respect other artists by not stealing their work or using it in a way that they do not want me to. Licensing is a way for artists to tell people how they want their work to be used, so they must be followed to not only respect artists, but respect the law.