[CPLTD]

Hi guy's

I find this subject very interesting and have been looking at the new developments in reducing software piracy,
What are your thoughts on ways to combat the epidemic which is effecting us on a global level , Every week more bit torrent related websites are opening offering microsoft software to download,
Have you ever been sold a system that doesnt pass the windows genuine advantage process of validation or have you thought its no big deal to buy a cheap copy of adobe photoshop cs3 to save yourself a few hundred quid or even used the likes of limewire to download a favourite track,
Do you as a user and a business understand the implications of piracy and its effect on consumers today ,
I would love to hear you thoughts on the matter and ideas you have on combating the situation.

[Jeewhizz]

Are you talking about software piracy, or music piracy? They aren't wholly exclusive. However, my personal belief is that both should be stopped. I buy all software we use - and actually, it's not that expensive when you realise what it gets you over the x years you use it in business. Apple software isn't expensive either (Apple iWorks is £50, the latest OS is £80ish) so it's not bank breaking.

[CPLTD]

Hi Jeewhiz,
Mainly software piracy I just threw the limewire and music for good messure,
My thoughts are with you on Piracy also, the amount of systems I have repaired and noticed they are running illegal software on and I try to explain to the user what they are letting themself into with illegal software downloads no always being what they seem and the effect it will have on the industry.

[Indizine]

I onve bought a disc on ebay a couple of years ago, for £25 - MX Studio! It was claimed to be an original and new!! I thought well, im gonna give it a whirl as I can always get a refund!!

Sure enough, I get a copy disc with not all of the keys, but for most of the programmes.

Anyway meanwhile back at the ranch, I reported it to Ebay and the seller, who sent a prompt refund, I also reported it to Macromedia Inc - next day Ebay was wiped of Macromedia's pirated stuff lol.

[CPLTD]

Superb example Indi and quite right too, what are your thoughts on ways to combat piracy if you have any please.

[Indizine]

Lower the prices of the software -

[CPLTD]

it is a valid point,
But on the flip side to the coin do we really appreciate the time and investment that goes into creating software packages today,

[Jeewhizz]

Originally Posted by CPLTD

it is a valid point,
But on the flip side to the coin do we really appreciate the time and investment that goes into creating software packages today,

How can Apple make money on it's OS at £80 a pop, whereas Microsoft charge triple that?

I know apple hardware is more expensive, but that's only part of the story. If Apple can do the above, and still make money, and more importantly, make a decent OS, shouldn't Microsoft follow suit?

[Indizine]

At the end of the day, anything thats good is usually replicated illegally, be it money, armani or whatever, so its a problem that will never go away completely. Perhaps one way is that when you buy original software, the keys can only come from the software company via a unique registration on an original disc or like a bar code on the box.

[CPLTD]

I'm a big believer in reducing cost on software , But I dont feel that that alone will stop piracy unless the cost was say 25 pound for windows vista or xp, I think mabye a subscription service to software that is mainly web based application is the way to go, but this obviously wont work in some scenarios