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From: dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (D Gary Grady)
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc
Subject: Re: Copy Protection
Message-ID: <881@ecsvax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Dec-85 16:50:14 EST
Article-I.D.: ecsvax.881
Posted: Mon Dec  9 16:50:14 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Dec-85 04:13:25 EST
References: <506@uvaee.UUCP> <456@nicmad.UUCP> <3624@think.ARPA>
Reply-To: dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (D Gary Grady)
Organization: Duke U Comp Ctr
Lines: 31

While I don't like copy protection either, some of the myths posted
merit a response.

Myth 1:	Since copy protection schemes are broken soon and the technique
	posted on BBSs within a few weeks, they serve no purpose.
Fact:	Copy protection schemes don't deter sophisticated users who call
	BBSs and so forth, but they deter the overwhelming majority of
	unsophisticated, lazy users.  They don't stop theft but they do
	slow it up.

Myth 2:	Companies who copy protect their software think all their
	customers are crooks.
Fact:	Nope, they just know a lot of them are.  And if you think
	they're mistaken, look around.

Myth 3: If companies would price their products within reason, it would
	deter piracy.
Fact:	How much does the Microsoft Flight Simulator cost?  How many
	pirated copies have you seen?  I rest my case.

I repeat that I'm AGAINST copy protection, but I understand why
companies resort to it (it's an inconvenience and an expense to them,
too, you know).  Someone said something about it reminding him of the
arms race.  Right ho!  And just as difficult to see a solution that
doesn't involve re-engineering human nature.

-- 
D Gary Grady
Duke U Comp Center, Durham, NC  27706
(919) 684-3695
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