Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-winken!cert!netnews.upenn.edu!vax1.cc.lehigh.edu!lukrw
From: lukrw@vax1.cc.lehigh.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: Why do people pirate software?
Message-ID: <10271.26d52a29@vax1.cc.lehigh.edu>
Date: 24 Aug 90 17:22:49 GMT
References: <19089016:24:58KRW1@lehigh.bitnet> <2643@anomaly.sbs.com>
Organization: Lehigh University
Lines: 37

In article <2643@anomaly.sbs.com>, mpd@anomaly.sbs.com (Michael P. Deignan) writes:
> KRW1@Lehigh writes:
> 
>>Why do people pirate software?  Ignorance or thievery.  Don't delude
>>yourself by thinking it's anything else.
> 
> Sorry, its not as black and white as you claim.
> 
> Why do companies advertise software having fantastic features that either
> 1) don't work, or 2) don't really exist? Why do companies release bug-ridden
> which costs the user hundreds of dollars, only to find out after the user
> installed it that it doesn't work?

That's misrepresentation - not a valid excuse for violating *their*
rights.  

> Companies like that deserve to get screwed, since they're only out to
> screw the consumer. This company was sleazier than a used-car salesman.

What they deserve is not up to you to decide.

> This is why I make it a point from now on to "test drive" any software I'm
> going to purchase. If it means I have to borrow a friend's copy for a few
> weeks, fine. Companies who release legitimate programs that do as they
> claim should feel secure enough to offer a money-back guarentee, or at least
> have no problems with someone "test driving" the software prior to purchase.

As a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals, I fully
support the notion of users being able to test complete, functioning
versions of applications.  That is, however, at the sole discretion of
the vendor.  Poor software needs to be addressed, but not by people
arbitrarily breaking the law.  You have many rights guaranteed by state
and federal statute which protect you, should you decide you have been
taken and wish restitution.  Not an easy task, granted, but still your
only legitimate recourse.

-- Kevin