[Erax]

People can make money off their software by offering a service that requires a fee. Software can be copied, the service cannot. Pay-per-turn games, monthly-subscription Online games and subscription-based antivirus software all operate on this model. I am not an expert but I'd say those kinds of media don't get pirated too often.

In a similar way, you can buy a pirate DVD, but if you want to watch it on the big screen you have to go to a movie theatre.

I won't go so far as to say that all copyable content should be free, but I believe it will ultimately become cheap enough to drive the pirates out of business. Notice I didn't say 'should', I said WILL. The pressure from the competition - illegal though it may be - is just too great.

I bought many of my games years after they were released, when their price had fallen to the $5-$8 range. The enjoyment is the same, I know I won't be throwing my money away and there are no moral issues involved. I am never the first guy on the block to have the latest game but I make up for that by being the ONLY guy on the block that owns some of the more obscure ones. Now I believe I'll see the day when games are released for $15 or even $10. Not all games - the ones made by big-name companies will still be expensive - but the potential is there for a different type of product. It's only a matter of time.

Gryphin : While I did violate the EULA, I do not defend my actions. I now understand that it was wrong and why.

[ July 11, 2003, 22:22: Message edited by: Erax ]