From: CMS129@psuvm.psu.edu (ChrisSlothman Stoy)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: Re: The piracy argument to end all arguments....
Date: 17 Nov 92 19:30:17 GMT
 <VXRTTB5w165w@bugend.edvina.se>,<BxMwAE.L5H@starnine.com>
 <1992Nov14.131846.1672@msus1.msus.edu> <torban.721901669@csuvax1>
 <69657@cup.portal.com>
Organization: Penn State University

In article <69657@cup.portal.com>, TomK@cup.portal.com (Tom R Krotchko) says:
>
>You are allowed to make tapes of stuff from the airwaves, as long as its
>for personal use only. Its only a copyright violation if you try to sell it.
>
Gee, does this mean that it's ok to copy software as long as I don't sell it?

There are two basic issues in question here:

1) Is software piracy illegal
2) Is software piracy immoral

 The answer to question 1 is yes (although I'm sure some sharp lawyers out
there can find a loophole in the laws..)

 The answer to question 2 (which is what most of the people here seem to be
arguinng about) is not as clear.  There is no standard morality for the human
race.  Each person has their own views on what is right and what is wrong. One
person may see something as wrong (ie. software piracy) and someone else can
hold the opposite view. Who's right?  Neither and both.  They each hold a
different view of what's right and wrong.  That's were laws come in.  In order
to live in society, you need to follow the norms and standards set up in that
society (ie. the laws).  If you fail to follow theses laws, then you risk the
retaliation of the society.  Since there is such a small chance of ever getting
caught pirating software, most people relie on their morals in deciding this
issue.  Because everyone has different morals, who's to say what is morally
correct and what isn't.  It's blatenly obvious in the US that what you may
consider morally correct doesn't necessarily reflect the opinoins of everyone
else.

What's my point?  You're never going to stop software piracy. The best you can
do is reduce it's effects.  How do you do this?  Give the consumer what they
want at a resonable price.  Make software worth the money you pay for it. If
you make pirating less of an option, then people will be more willing to buy
the software.  Why should someone spend $50 for a game when they can get the
same thing with a bunch more options (unlimited lives, level trainers, etc.)
for free?  I can't afford to spend $50 or more on a game and after I get it
home discover it's a piece of crap.  I can't take it back, most stores won't
accept returned software after it has been opened.  Guess next time I'll go
over to my friends house and just get a copy of the game and if I don't like it
then I can just erase it. No loss.


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Chris "Slothman" Stoy |  DISCLAIMER: The views expressed within are not
cms129 at psuvm       |  mine but those of my pet hamster Gizmo. HE'S
cms129@psuvm.psu.edu  |  responsible for this! Blame him!        ^^^^
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(I can't wait to see how many people accuse me of being a pirate. Look, I'm
 just trying to give you all something to think about.)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy