From: ozma@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games
Subject: Re: copywright & Piracy (sic)
Date: 21 Aug 92 23:07:22 CDT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

In article <1992Aug21.215355.21325@nntp.uoregon.edu>, dcutter@oregon.uoregon.edu (dann cutter) writes:
 
> That does it! This is starting to really annoy me. A poster asks a question
> which may or may not mean he has pirated the game - and everybody jumps all
> over him. God damn it... I hate to say it, but the fucking software
> industry better really thank there luck stars that some people pirate
> stupid games... these are the people that grow up and end up programming
> for the same stupid company in the first place. And some games would not
> survive without piracy... 

Although I sometimes feel as you do, in your posting I didn't think you were
able to justify piracy in my mind.  How exactly has piracy saved some games? 
If these games were not pirated, somehow they would have flopped?  You don't
mean financially do you?

> I mean, some of those old games get pirated, and
> then as the pirate actually gets old enough to get some real cash, buys the
> new copy of the game. Millions are lost yearly to the record and tape
> industry (cd too) because people dubb, but bloody hell - Having 40% profit
> margins compared to 50% is just only so sad... and I believe the record
> iindustry is at a hieght that has never been equaled. 

I wish the software market WAS like the audio industry.  But in truth, a CD
like R.E.M.s "Out of Time" probably sold millions! of copies - what piece of
software can you point to that has done as well?  My point is that Warner
Brothers can swallow x% of audio piracy because they sold over a million copies
of the discs.  Piracy can destroy a game company (esp. on the Mac) where 10,000
copies sold is a pretty good haul.  Could someone with some historical data
drop a few names of game companies that indeed DID go under in part due to
piracy?

---deletions---
> company whose game I posess and explained my situation... Not only have
> companies been receptive (several companies gave me the copy in my
> posession for a $5 fee), but a few companies have actually sent me the
> manuals, and told me to please enjoy and recomend their product to others.
> THEY DO THIS cause they know, as I have told them, that when I am
> financially able I will probably end up buying the games from companies I
> liked anyways... So they end up making a gareenteed(sp?). I am proud to say
> that I now own EVERY piece of software on my machine, and in my possesion.
> Most companies justwanted to know about it, and make sure I wasn't making a
> profit from it.

This boggles my mind.  Perhaps as an experiment I ought to call a few companies
and pretend to have some of their software pirated - it is difficult for me to
imagine receiving such a warm welcome.

Dann, you're a saint.  I too now own all the software on my hard drive (not the
case 2-3 years back).  But I think were a minority - most people that I know
who pirate CAN afford the games and such.  Often shoplifters are wealthy
suburban women.

> 	Please - Users, Programmers, and Companies... Understand the difference
> between corperate piracy, and just economics... many asshole companies
> don't last long, while if you understand a bit more about your users...
> you'll be a much better revered company. i.e. I hate Microsoft, yet Origin
> will get all my business first, and always...

Game companies aren't too worried about corporate piracy.  Sure, if Sprint
placed an order for 8000 copies of Glider, and Intel another 10,000 I would be
more relaxed about the few pirating high school kids.  In as much as
corporations are unlikely to ever by a game in the first place, I'm probably
less concerned about thousands of copies of Glider circulating through the
offices of Sprint.  But the few sales that can be gleaned are from just the
audience you're asking to forgive for piracy.

I hate Mircrosoft too, but indeed, it does seem that they're as powerful as
ever doesn't it.

> _______________________________________________________________
> Dann Cutter  Stellar Enterprises* /
> dcutter@oregon.uoregon.edu

Don't take this as a flame Dann - just a counterpoint.

john calhoun-

Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games