Ed,

>A very different scenario; you take back the TV and get a different one more to your liking; you've already spent the money. You don't go in, steal one, and then throw it away if you don't like it.

You can't compare this. Software itself has no stock value or reproduction costs.

Let's say I'm looking for a word processor, I'll buy WP x.x for windows. After a real test i'm comming to the conclusion the product is not satifying. I donnot have the possibility to return the software and buy MS Word.

With virtually all other kind of products I do have this capability, except for software.

Even if I buy a car wich eventually I don't like, I could return it to the dealer and buy another one. Even if this costs me some extra money the first car has a return-value.

We are hypocrits if we think that we can stop piracy by limiting the logistics. Piracy can only be reduced, but never been stopped. Of course there are a number of way's to limit piracy.

- Lower the prices of software products
- Giving away software preinstalled on new computers (windows 95, 98 , Office, etc)
- Having an active anti-piracy institute in all countries (especially East Europe and Asia)

Let me emphasize again that i reject piracy, and I'm not trying to defend it,but if you face the facts, you'll see that it has played an positive active role in software development.

Who would have bought a 8086 XT PC without the possibility of copying games ?
Answer: only professionals

Would we have been so far if only professionals bought a 8086 XT machine ? I think not.

Whether you like it or not Piracy has (and will be in the future) played an active role in software (and hardware) development.

we've talked about hypocrism before: Why do all manufactures of hardware sell computers to Asian countries (like china) where virtually none of the software is legal ??


Regards Walter,