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Software Piracy

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flap:

quote:By pirating Microsoft products, you spread them over, and make software developpers even more dependent of them.
--- End quote ---


But you just suggested that it was "theft"; now you're suggesting software "piracy" is bad because it helps the people you're "stealing" the software from?

Pissed_Macman:
There is nothing stopping people from stealing things from the internet because the internet has a whole different set of rules. Sure, the company doesn't make any money if you pirate their software, but you didn't actually take it from them (not like shoplifting where the thing you stole is gone forever). I think the internet has changed the way we should do business.

Laukev7:

quote: But you just suggested that it was "theft"; now you're suggesting software "piracy" is bad because it helps the people you're "stealing" the software from?
--- End quote ---


So, you suggest we all use Microsoft products, then?

Piracy may spread out a product, but whether it helps the company or not depends on its priorities. If, like Microsoft, it intends to monopolise the market first, then force people to buy their products later (bundled with computers, or with DRM, for example), then in some way piracy helps the company, or at least temporarily, because they intend to regain their lost profit.

On the other hand, it doesn't help smaller companies at all, who mightn't ever have a chance to get a monopoly position, or anyone to bundle their products (e.g. Corel). So they work in vain, gain no marketshare and make no profit on their products. Of course, this is only one example amongst many others.

And while Robin Hood helped the poor by stealing from the rich, it still remained theft.

 
quote: If on the other hand you're using a stupid propaganda term for sharing then you're mistaken in calling it "theft" or deeming it wrong.
--- End quote ---


I fail to understand what you mean by 'propaganda'. You seem to suggest that we cannot think for ourselves, just because some of us do not 'share' your opinion, if I may employ that term. How about if I say that 'sharing' is a euphemism for 'theft'? Or perhaps a propaganda term used by the FSF?

[ July 08, 2003: Message edited by: Laukev7 ]

M51DPS:

quote:Originally posted by flap:
Sofware "piracy"? I'm assuming you're referring to an act of boarding a ship carrying software and killing its crew? Yes, that's wrong.

If on the other hand you're using a stupid propaganda term for sharing then you're mistaken in calling it "theft" or deeming it wrong.
--- End quote ---


YAR! Let lose the cannons and give them hell! Sorry, I couldnt' resist.

flap:

quote:And while Robin Hood helped the poor by stealing from the rich
--- End quote ---


Yes, that was theft, because he took something. As we've established (and I seem to remember you agreeing) copying is not theft.

 
quote:I fail to understand what you mean by 'propaganda'. You seem to suggest that we cannot think for ourselves
--- End quote ---


There are two possible reasons for people like you agreeing with the the protestations of publishers that copying is theft:
either
a) you've been won over by propaganda or
b) you actually independently believe of your own free will that anyone has a right to dictate to others whom they may not help and share with.

I think the second option is worse, but either way it's messed up, to say the least.

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