----- Original Message ----- From: "Graywolf"
Subject: Re: Photoshop CS Bargain Basement
First off Bill, everyone does not steal. There are honest people in the world.
With computer software, I think the percentage is surprisingly small though.
Second. How does someone using an unlicensed and unsupported copy of Photoshop raise the prices of legitimate copies. I would assume that the folks using the free copies would not pay $600 for it in any case. They would just use something else.
Some would, some wouldn't. Those that would buy if theft wasn't easy are lost sales.
There are many folks who are software collectors. They have a copy of every piece of software they can find. They do not use the software. They do not need the software. They do not buy the software. How do they affect Adobe's sales?
Theft is theft. It doesn't really matter what the end use is.
Now both these classes of non-buyers probable brag on having the latest version of Photoshop and thus influence others to buy the software accually helping Adobe's profits.
Actually, both classes of non buyers are probably bootlegging cheap CD's and putting beer money in their own pockets. This helps Anheuser-Busch, but not Adobe.
Now the people who sell bootleg copies to unsuspecting bargain hunters do cost Adobe sales and rip off their own customers. They are plain and simple crooks and should be dealt with accordingly.
Agreed.
The way I always have seen it, is if I need support I will pay for it by buying the software. Although there have been a few companies who both sell at a high price and charge extra for support. Most of them have not lasted long.
So I can steal your truck as long as I don't want you to do tune-ups on it?
I have quite a lot of stuff up on my website. If you make a copy of any of it for your own use it does not hurt me in the least. Now if you put it in a book and sold the book, I probably would take legal action against you (Hey, I want my split).
Are you running a commercial website? If I steal what I should rightfully buy, then I am hurting you. OTOH, if you are like me, and just put random stuff up for people to amuse themselves with, downloading it is more of a compliment.
Someone stealing merchandize from the store is taking money; the store had to pay for the merchandize. Someone using intellectual property that they would not use if they had to pay for it is not taking anything away from the owner. In fact it could be argued that they are providing a service. One of the ways you become the leader is by having more people use your stuff. The more there who are using it, the more there are who will buy it.
How is software any different from a pair of jeans that way. Does a ripped off pair of Levi's help Levi Strauss increase market share?
William Robb
