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Path: utzoo!watmath!looking!brad
From: brad@looking.UUCP (Brad Templeton)
Newsgroups: net.followup,net.news,net.legal
Subject: Copyright Violations - how can software people do this
Message-ID: <140@looking.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 22-Mar-84 00:00:00 EST
Article-I.D.: looking.140
Posted: Thu Mar 22 00:00:00 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 22-Mar-84 04:21:47 EST
References: <778@nsc.UUCP>
Organization: Looking Glass Software, Waterloo, Ont
Lines: 46

I am amazed to see people on the net, most of whom work in software,
actually defending copyright violators.
Don't you have any interest in your own welfare?

Nobody know how much microcomputer software is stolen by people
who "just copy it", but I would expect that conservatively one copy
is stolen for each legitimate copy sold.  Microcomputer software is
a billion dollar industry (at least, probably more), so we are talking
about probable billions in theft.  Billions that were stolen from US.
If people paid for the software they steal, I know I would be a great
deal richer and so would many of you.  Either salaries would be higher
or prices of software would be lower due to the increased volume.

We must work very hard to combat this attitude. As we enter the so-called
"information age", information will become a very important form of
property, and thieves will sap our money even more so than they do now.
It applies to music, too.  How many of you have played thief by taping
a record just to save $6 to $10?  I admit I used to, but haven't in many
years.

The other day I met a kid (about 17) in a computer store:
Kid: You have a computer
Me: Yes, I have several (After all, it's how I make my living)
Kid: Do you have a Commodore 64?
Me: Yes, I have one of those
Kid: Got any games for it?
Me: I have written some games, yes.
Kid: Wanna trade?
Me: For what?
Kid: I have [some game]
Me: Did you write that?
Kid: No, I just got it.
Me: You mean you stole it?
Kid: No, I copied it.     (And he really thought there was a difference)
Me: Is it for sale.
Kid: No.  Well, in the stores I guess..
Me: So you are a thief.
Kid: Everybody does it...
Me: and that makes theft OK?
Kid: Everybody does it.

You've seen this kid yourself, I am sure, for he's everywhere.  One
little copy doesn't hurt the author, just like one little beer can
doesn't ruin the park....
-- 
	Brad Templeton - Waterloo, Ontario (519) 886-7304