so why dont they crack down on software sharing?

MrDudeMan

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
15,069
94
91
i dont get it. downloading songs and movies (especially movies) is such a big deal, but stealing software seems to have slipped by somehow. why arent people being prosecuted for sharing windows, office, autocad, quicken, etc. etc. etc...

whats the deal?
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
0
The software industry is in touch with reality - if they pirate it, they probably can't afford it, and would use your competitor's stuff because it's cheaper. Take a hit to hit your competitor. Also, they're content preventing 99% of piracy with retarded copy protection schemes that prevent you from copying the disks with EZ CD Creator.
 

yhelothar

Lifer
Dec 11, 2002
18,409
39
91
Because not a lot of people steals software compared to songs and movies.
Your average joe knows how to steal mp3s and movies. Anyone that knows how to use AIM knows how to steal songs and movies with easy to use P2P programs.
Most of those same n00bs don't know any software to steal in the first place, and even if they did, they couldn't be arsed to find out how to crack the copy protection.
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
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Also, Microsoft's philosophy on piracy is entertaining. "Let them pirate. Once we figure out how to REALLY prevent it, they'll be so used to using our products that they'll be FORCED to buy it."
 

MrDudeMan

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
15,069
94
91
good points, but i still feel like it is too rampant. more people are becoming well versed in "internet" theft and this should be cracked down on as well.
 

MrDudeMan

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
15,069
94
91
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Also, Microsoft's philosophy on piracy is entertaining. "Let them pirate. Once we figure out how to REALLY prevent it, they'll be so used to using our products that they'll be FORCED to buy it."

did they really say that? its a good idea either way, lol.
 

Kibbo

Platinum Member
Jul 13, 2004
2,847
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0
Here's a theory:

Film and music are dominated by oligachies of a few firms roughly equal in power. Thus, it's pretty easy for them to pool resources to lobby, investigate and enforce their copyrights.

Software is dominated by a monopolistic oiligarchy, where one major player would burden the cost of a large-scale political/legal battle. And his taking on those costs would benefit all those smaller companies who put in nothing.

It might be more profitable for that one large company to invest the R&D and Customer Service costs that benefit only it, by requiring online authorization of its products and other security "features." This would mean that the smaller companies that couldn't invest that money assume the brunt of the costs of pirating, while the big player takes less of a hit.

This would likely lead to a consolidation proccess among the smaller players until they, too, could afford all the expenses related to the technical procceses needed to protect their copyrights. Or, that chaper technical solutions would eventually be developped by the smaller players.

O' course, I havn't slept yet today, so I could be way off. But isn't idle speculation about market structures fun?
 

Shlong

Diamond Member
Mar 14, 2002
3,130
59
91
Because there isn't one big organization protecting software companies. The movies have MPAA, music has RIAA. Software doesn't have such an organization.
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
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Originally posted by: Shlong
Because there isn't one big organization protecting software companies. The movies have MPAA, music has RIAA. Software doesn't have such an organization.

there's the BSA i believe

i vague recall an IRC server/room getting shutdown because of the BSA
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
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Originally posted by: Bigsm00th
good points, but i still feel like it is too rampant. more people are becoming well versed in "internet" theft and this should be cracked down on as well.

Okay, so EA, Microsoft, Vivendi, and Adobe should spend more money on their lawyers and less on developing products. Riiiiiiiiight. I can see Microsoft doing that, but their policy makes money in the long run, so they won't change it.
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
0
Originally posted by: Bigsm00th
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Also, Microsoft's philosophy on piracy is entertaining. "Let them pirate. Once we figure out how to REALLY prevent it, they'll be so used to using our products that they'll be FORCED to buy it."

did they really say that? its a good idea either way, lol.

Billy himself said something to that effect. Can't remember where or the exact wording.
 

MrDudeMan

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
15,069
94
91
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: Bigsm00th
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Also, Microsoft's philosophy on piracy is entertaining. "Let them pirate. Once we figure out how to REALLY prevent it, they'll be so used to using our products that they'll be FORCED to buy it."

did they really say that? its a good idea either way, lol.

Billy himself said something to that effect. Can't remember where or the exact wording.

im sure some people will think MS is the devil for that statement, but i think its genius.
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Also, Microsoft's philosophy on piracy is entertaining. "Let them pirate. Once we figure out how to REALLY prevent it, they'll be so used to using our products that they'll be FORCED to buy it."

Funny, I always thought that their logic was more like "Let those high school and college kids pirate our stuff... At least they aren't learning Linux or Mac OS instead! We'll just make 'em pay once they're grown up and buying software for their businesses, because they won't know how to use anything else! MUHAHAHAH!"

And, yes, I really DO think that they end it with a diabolical laugh like that :)

 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
0
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Also, Microsoft's philosophy on piracy is entertaining. "Let them pirate. Once we figure out how to REALLY prevent it, they'll be so used to using our products that they'll be FORCED to buy it."

Funny, I always thought that their logic was more like "Let those high school and college kids pirate our stuff... At least they aren't learning Linux or Mac OS instead! We'll just make 'em pay once they're grown up and buying software for their businesses, because they won't know how to use anything else! MUHAHAHAH!"

And, yes, I really DO think that they end it with a diabolical laugh like that :)

That's part of the same concept, actually. Buying for business = instant foolproof copy protection (almost, anyway)