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From: Knisely@his-phoenix-multics.arpa
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: RE: Software Piracy
Message-ID: <12060@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 6-Apr-84 11:18:00 EST
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.12060
Posted: Fri Apr  6 11:18:00 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Apr-84 03:06:40 EST
Lines: 50



A number of related issues are being discussed (and flamed about, raved
about, etc) here.  At the risk of adding to growing pool of half-truth
and self justification, here goes.

First, if I remember my business law (and its been awhile, got a lawyer
hidden in this group?), then software piracy is not technically theft --
but it is usually a clear violation of the copyright laws.  Now, no
matter what justification you put on it, it is still ILLEAGAL to do
that.  If you feel the need to rationalize having done so by saying that
the product was not worth the price asked, then I hope you are not
deluding yourself that this made it any less illegal, and subject to
prosecution.  HOWEVER, there are a number of issues concerning the
copyright laws and software licenses that are not so clear cut, and
deserve thoughtful discussion, and the recent chain of items on multiple
CPU licensing is one of those subjects.

Software piracy is one of the hottest issues going, and I, like most,
have strong, but sometimes mixed feelings about it.  The idea that if
the producer didn't bother to heavily protect the software, then he's
being careless and its then ok to pirate it, is one that especially
bothers me.  I have a legitimate right as a purchaser/user of the
software to be able to create archive backup copies for my own use.  It
has gotten to the point now that very little home software comes in
unprotected form.  About half of what I have bought recently is
impossible for me to backup with unmodified hardware.  Now, either I go
out and spend a couple hundred dollars on hardware/software that will
let me beat these (but the next ones ?) schemes, or I'm
left  vulnerable to the loss of a product I paid hard earned cash
for.  Too many producers have adopted policies which make it
difficult, expensive or impossible for me to get backup copies from
them, and I find that a real problem.  And the problem gets worse every
day, mostly because of the attitudes and actions of a large minority of
people who, for  whatever reason, either see no wrong in piracy or justify
it or rationalise it.  Now I am not in the software-for-sale business, I
am a user; a user who is increasingly maddened by this situation.  Yes,
I think software is grossly over-priced in some areas, but noone is
forcing me to buy it.  If the software isn't worth (to me) the price,
then either I find a new price, different software or I do without.  I
think that piracy is irresponsible and is damaging the industry for all
of us.

Ok folks, let's hear some discussion of how we can solve this problem.
How do we preserve the rights of the user to legitimate copy
capabilities, provide him a useful way to examine and try the software
before purchase, how should industry determine realistic returns on
investment, is there a technical/ procedural/legal solution to the
pirating???
                       ...Dick...(Knisely.DSP1 -at CISL)