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From: els@pur-phy.UUCP (Eric Strobel)
Newsgroups: net.followup,net.micro
Subject: Re: Software Piracy
Message-ID: <1272@pur-phy.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 31-Mar-84 15:41:46 EST
Article-I.D.: pur-phy.1272
Posted: Sat Mar 31 15:41:46 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 1-Apr-84 07:47:35 EST
References: <504@mprvaxa.UUCP>, <744@orca.UUCP>
Organization: Purdue University Physics Dept.
Lines: 46


   I really wish people would admit/signify that certain thoughts
about this issue are a matter of their personal ethics.  To some,
piracy = theft.  If you feel that way fine, but that doesn't make 
it true!  PERSONALLY, I equate this issue with that of the people
who have been sued for building antennas and converters for HBO
transmissions.  If a transmission is available for me to pick up,
then I'll pick it up when ever I damn well please.  If HBO doesn't
like it then they should encode their transmission in a manner that
makes it somehow easier for me to rent the equipment from them, than
it is for me to do it myself.  Similarly, software houses should
put something into the program to make it difficult to copy.  If I
would have to spend weeks trying to hack out a copy of some program,
I'll probably just say the hell with it and go out and buy it.
    To put in plainer terms, if there has been no effort made
to protect the software, then making a copy is just like picking
up a $20 bill off of the street; i.e. the former owner was careless
with it, so tough!
    The big exception, of course, is with licenced software.  By
copying this stuff, you help your friend to break a formal contract.
On top of the legality problems, the person who loaned you the
software has proven that his word is worthless! 'nuff said.
    All I can say about the small one-person software producers, is
that they can use their modems and band together.


    P.S.  I fully expect flames about this, but I'd rather hear
(and might even enjoy) some thoughtful criticism.

      (Hopefully, the above line will douse most of those who
type without thinking.)




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