Software Pirate Arraigned In U.S.

[CyberDeus-RagDoll]

You'll have a tough time convincing anyone of that considering the major software companies already pull 80%+ profit margins.

Their profit margins are irrelevant to the concept of theft.

Fast food joints mark up food around 800% .. That $1.00 double cheesburger you bought at mcdonalds cost them about 12 cents to make, including labor, supplies, and cooking.

Does that justify you stealing it?

Food is an INCREDIBLE margin.. that doesn't mean it's right to steal that, either.
You are just SO ingrained in being a software pirate, you can't understand the concept of having something you CREATE stolen. But, that's probably because you've never CREATED anything.

 

[CyberDeus-RagDoll]

Its all well and good that people are taking the moral high ground and pointing out that theft is illegal, and thus one should be punished. Now perhaps this is a realistic position to take, but im willing to bet that the same people who claim this, don't turn themselves in when they speed, or J walk. Its not quite as black and white as people make it out to be.

I'm not saying .... im just saying.

It's not my job to catch myself committing a crime such as speeding. That's what we have law enforcement officers for. It's my prerogative if I choose to exceed the speed limit (which I do). It is my prerogative if I choose to jay-walk (which I do not). It is my prerogative if I chose to drink underage (which I did), It is my prerogative if I choose to steal software (which I do not)

The difference here is this.

Unless I hit someone because I was speeding, my speeding is a victimless crime.

If I jay-walk, then usually I am disrupting someone else's driving, which means it would be "affecting" someone.

If I chose to drink underage, I hurt nobody but myself (as long as I wasn't driving afterwards)

If I steal software [which I do not] then I am taking proceeds from the companies that produce the software. Those proceeds trickle down to people LIKE ME who write software.

I have no problem with people committing "Victimless" crime.. Speeding (unless it causes an accident) is a victimless crime. Jaywalking (ditto) is also a victimless crime, except in my case, I am a slow walker.

I could go into hundreds of examples of victimed and victimless crimes. However, piracy is a crime that has victims YOU'LL NEVER EVER MEET. That doesn't mean there aren't still victims.

 

[bob]

I have no problem with people committing "Victimless" crime.. Speeding (unless it causes an accident) is a victimless crime.

Drunk driving is also a "victimless crime", but most people should see the problem with that at the very least. Though perhaps im also being naieve... But this isnt about whether it affects someone or not, what it comes down to, is that its illegal. Someone downloading a cracked copy of windows vista because they feel its too expensive, really doesnt make them any better than someone downloading movies/software, and then turning around and selling copies. Sure, you can argue that it probably doesnt affect much when one person does it... It still doesnt make it any better.

Morality should be kept seperate from the law, when discussing these types of things IMHO. Is it wrong to do a burnout in an empty dirt lot near the city limits? I dont feel that its wrong, but the city police felt my friend needed to have a court dates and a possible liscense suspension for "reckless endangerment".

To sum up by rambling post, I think a quote from the movie "Liar Liar" (Jim Carrey as the main character) fits :

Greta: He knocked over another ATM. This time at knife point. He needs your legal advice.
[picking up phone and shouting] Fletcher: Stop breaking the law, a**hole!

 

[MrGuvernment]

If I steal software [which I do not] then I am taking proceeds from the companies that produce the software. Those proceeds trickle down to people LIKE ME who write software.

No, your not taking proceeds, you can not prove the theif would of ever purchased the software /movie in the first place.

This is the major issue, it can not be proven if the persons act has a potential dent in profits as no proof can be made if the software would of been purchased in the first place. his is why i love when he RIAA goes off on "millions lost to piracy" BULLSHIT - you cant prove that number.

i am sure %90 of people who pirate say 3D studio max or Adobe photoshop, never would have bought it anyways....

but what about the profits MADE from someone being able to use software there was no demo for ? or they didnt really think of buying......

This is why most places gone after are Resellers and large companies, joe blow down the block is not worth the time, or possible money they "might" have gotten. MS could shut down every version of pirated software out there right now if they wanted, - why haven't they? they dont care. Same with any other company with largely pirated products.


it is still theft - but maybe if companies made it mandatory to allow trials and more demo's more profits may be made instead of me having to think 'mmmmm, do i want to drop $500 on this software i cant even try first ? "