Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!maddalop
From: maddalop@cs.rpi.edu (Philip Maddaloni)
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Software Piracy
Summary: piracy is harmful to the computer industry
Keywords: piracy
Message-ID: <_&_^R9#@rpi.edu>
Date: 16 Nov 90 06:50:32 GMT
Distribution: comp
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY
Lines: 44
Nntp-Posting-Host: altair.cs.rpi.edu


	I feel that there is a significant problem in the computer industry
today in the form of software piracy.  Piracy can be broken down into three
classes based on the effect each class has on the industry.  The first class
consists of those who illegally copy software which they could not in the 
first place afford.  The second consists of individuals and businesses who
illegally copy software which they could not afford.  The third consists of 
those who illegally copy and mass distribute software.
	The first class does not directly harm the computer industry since the
amount of profit the software producer makes is not affected.  The only effect
it may have is to cause the pirater to recommend the software to others or to 
disocurage them from purchasing it.  This will only cause good products  to 
survive and bad ones to fail.  This is a good result if anything.
	The third class is harmful, but it is more easily identifiable and
punishable.  Also this problem has parallels in the recording industry and is
therefore not central to computers and is therefore less interesting in this
context.
	This second form, though, is one which seems innocent and harmful
enough, yet is very harmful to the computer industry and to the future of 
personal computers  and computer products and their availability to the
consumer.
	First, the lost profit that will result in the large number of 
people illegally copying software will result  in a raising of the price of
software and a shortage in  the market for software since it becomes too
risky to develop software that will not be purchased by many people.  This has
the effect of putting software out of reach for many people and cause more
pirating and this chain reaction continues .
	Next, if a new computer comes along that is powerful and innovative
but, of course, being new has little user support it will be almost 
impossible for the computer to survive since it will not be profitable to
make software for it.  This lack of software will cause the computer to 
become less popular and therefore fail in the market.  This type of 
block on innovation is unacceptable.  
	Some may say that this is good since it fosters standardization since
a few large popular computers will take over the market as have IBM and Apple
in the  personal computer  market.  Although standardiztion is beneficial to
the industry innovation must not be sacrificed in favor of it.
	Some solutions to this problem are possible.  One may be to include 
advertisements in software packages and in the software itself to raise 
enough money so as to lower the price of the software significantly enough
so that people not only can afford it but are willing to pay for it to get
the manual as opposed to just the software.  Once software is inexpensive
enough many more people will buy it and therefore cause it to become
even cheaper and proliferate the product if it is a good one.