10 copies is NOT 10 *missing* Fords. It's 10 *potential* sales lost. Provided that copying was made not possible, that does not translate into 10 additional sales. The bandying about of "billions lost" has a spin quality that overdramatizes, and undermines the ligitimacy of, piracy concerns.
In addition, I suspect there are people who will utilize a "copy" for evaluations purposes, and then buy a legal copy. So, 10 copies doesn't necessarily translate into 10 potential losses; it probably translates into actual sales.
At the very least, there may be more happy, legal customer; I've bought a lot of stuff over the years that was "crap", becausing buying was the only way to get into the game.
A lot of companies are now giving away their software; if not the "Pro" version, then a "Lite" version. In turn, they are now making money off of books, consulting services, applications and like, for the "free" software ... all the while retaining rights to customer developed improvements that are going back into the product. The "Commie virus" at work.
Previous
Reply
View the map of this thread
View the map of this thread starting from this message only
View all messages of this thread
View all messages of this thread starting from this message only