From: torban@csuvax1.csu.murdoch.edu.au (Torban Bennett)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc
Subject: Re: PIRACY v2.00
Date: 18 Nov 92 03:07:00 GMT
Organization: Murdoch University

leikvoll@hsr.no (Morten Leikvoll) writes:

OK, another one joins the debate...

>- Would the software companies earn more money if piracy wasn`t going on?

Knock, knock?  McFly?  Anybody home?  Look at Nintendo, Sega etc...
The amount of piracy on those machines would be fairly low, like about nil,
and I can tell you, they must be making HEAPS.  Think about it, all those 
machine sold, and each owner must buy originals.  (or borrow from friend and
library.  And I've heard of the cartridge copiers, but I hardly think its a
significant problem, yet)

>- How many hobby users wouldn`t have to find another hobby if piracy wasn`t
                        ^^^^^^^
>going on?               [I'm taking it that this should would.]

If someone has to pick a hobby that relies on crime, well TOO bad!
Let 'em find one where they don't feel they have to break the law.

>- How would this turn out on the computer marked?

Well if the game consoles are anything to go by, the market wouldn't be
affected.

>For short:
> Would there exist so many and cheap computers if piracy didn't exist?

Really, I am fed up with this completely LAME argument, go and ask someone
in Commodore.   "Gee, I bet you're glad there's a piracy epidemic on, so you
can sell your machines for less." 

Besides, look again to the console market.  They are selling cheap machines
by the shopload. 

>If we are talking about reducing piracy because the software companies had
>trouble with their economy, THEN I would support anti-piracy.

So your saying you actually support piracy!  Well I'll give you marks for
honesty (sounds ironic doesn't it ;-)
In your rose-coloured veiw of the world, software theives are the Robin
Hood's, and those cracking groups are nothing more than a bunch of merry
men.

>They earn so much money, that they don`t know were to put them!

Hey ho, welcome to capitalism!  That's the way it works, people provide a
service or a product, and if you want it, you can purchase it.  If people
make good products, then they are rewarded by more money, with which they
use to make more/better products.  (OK, so now I'm the one with rose coloured
glasses on, I don't want to enter any political debates about capitalism. )

Sure maybe a lot of companies ARE making heaps (does anyone have actual
profit records for Amiga software companies?) but what about the small ones
that have just started?  Piracy is really going to hurt them, and as users
we could see a monopoly develop, where all we get are useless PC conversions
(whiped up in 1 week flat) and pathetic film tie-ins!  

The software base must be nutured, to produce a wide diversity, of original
and well programmed products.  And if you really do have a problem
purchasing legal software, look more  at PD stuff and shareware.  This area
is getting bigger and better, and support the authors by sending off the
small registration fees.  (and don't let those big, bad companies get any of
your money)

To sum up, I have seen many so called arguments that try to rationalise
software theft.  Good luck guys, keep on trying!  So far you've come up with
less than nothing.  (Here's a clue - for FREE - it's usually pretty hard to
justify commiting a crime)

>-Morten Leikvoll / leikvoll@hsr.no (Is it short enough?)

Torban Bennett       torban@murdoch.edu.au
Murdoch University,
Western Australia.  Hopfully, they wont have had a problem with what I said ;-)