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From: mmr@utmbvax.UUCP (Mike Rubenstein)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: S/W PIRACY & CHICK SEX (**long**)
Message-ID: <238@utmbvax.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 28-Apr-84 12:57:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: utmbvax.238
Posted: Sat Apr 28 12:57:28 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 29-Apr-84 07:59:16 EDT
References: <7000065@uicsl.UUCP>
Organization: U TX Medical Branch @ Galveston
Lines: 31

> Now if you don't think you should pay duty for carrying software across
> borders, how much is it really worth?

What do tax laws have to do with value?  I've lived in several states in
which there is no sales tax on food.  I've not heard anyone claim that this
was evidence that food has no value.

> Piracy is a silly word for "grassroots software distribution."

Piracy is a silly word for theft.

> To say that the free enterprise system is working when WordStar still costs
> 350, even after the machines for mass production have been depreciated is 
> a big joke.

I see no evident that the free enterprise system isn't working here.  If
just one or two of the people who claim that software is over priced would
produce an alternative at a low price, everyone would be happy and they'd
make a fortune.

On second thought, I don't like that last argument.  Software being overpriced
has nothing to do with it.  If any product -- automobiles, televisions,
software, whatever -- is overpriced, the proper action is to not buy it.
(Yes, I'd make some exception to that statement in the case of products
which are controled by a monopoly or cartel, but even there, the answer is
not theft.  In any case, I've heard no evidence that software falls into
that category.  In fact, producing software seems to be one of the easiest
businesses to get into.)
-- 

	Mike Rubenstein, OACB, UT Medical Branch, Galveston TX 77550