The Software Industry's Identity Crisis
Linked by David Adams on Tue 26th Oct 2004 16:30 UTC
Editorial The software industry is undergoing a gradual transformation, and consumer fatigue is at its root. The licensing model that has formed the basis for the modern software industry is facing challenges on many fronts, and the industry is scrambling to keep its footing. Where this period of change may lead software producers and consumers isn't quite clear, but some trends are emerging. Since the proliferation of the internet, unauthorized redistribution of digital goods has become rampant. But although software sharing probably won't kill the software industry, the reasoning behind it shares some pedigree with the customer revolt that promises to transform the way software is sold.
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RE: christian paratschek
by Thom Holwerda on Tue 26th Oct 2004 20:07 UTC

still, there IS a difference between stealing and downloading and it lies exactly in the fact that you don't actually take things away from someone else. call downloading a crime, if you want. but it's not stealing. that would be a fundamental definition error.

I tend to disagree. Of course you take something away from someone! By downloading an song, you won't buy it, so, you are depriving the owner of the song from income.

Let's take out another car analogy. What if there was a huge parking lot, in the middle of nowhere, holding thousands of brand spankin' new Aston Martins, with the doors unlocked. There is no indication or whatsoever that the cars are owned by anyone or anything, and you could easily take one without being noticed.

Would you take an Aston Martin from that parking lot? I hope you won't, because it's stealing.