ahoy!

[keryx]

I have old versions of various design stuffs that can't be upgraded to OSX compatibility, and in looking at the shockingly high cost of such things, it occurs to me that there are situations where I don't find software piracy particularly bad. Not that every independent web artist should use stuff illegally, but I really don't have an ethical issue with 14-year-olds (or even underemployed 34-year-olds) using pirated copies of PhotoShop to design their blogs. It's a piece of software clearly priced with a corporate market in mind, but it's also the best tool for certain jobs. Basically, I'm a big commie, as I think software license fees need to do a better job of taking into account your usage and ability to pay - there's a difference between a hobbyist and a professional, a difference between one kid and an entire high school. Why not accomodate that? I'd give people software according to their need, and have them pay as they were able. In the meantime, 14-year-old budding designers have done really well at stealing according to their need, and I can't say I blame them.

What do you think? Is piracy a form of civil disobedience?

[Poll #451506]

Comments

[missmeridian.livejournal.com]

other situations not listed: software you needed and legally acquired/used in school (via educational licensing and/or institution), but now you're out of school and you still need to use those files/software.

[belladonnalin.livejournal.com]

There are very few times that I would actually pay for software. Pretty much the only time that I wouldn't pirate, if I could, is if the company is small, the designers and programmers run and own it themselves, and the software is reasonably-priced.

Photoshop? Pagemaker? Illustrator? My entire Office package?

Shamelessly stolen.

[snidegrrl.livejournal.com]

the photoshop gap is SHAMEFUL.

[firecat]

I use pirated software, but I think it is unethical. Let's face it, I'm not completely ethical. That's why I answered 0.

But in fact I have used pirated software in a number of the situations you list.

Oh, and there was one case where I was justified. I made every effort to buy a piece of software, only to find that it simply wasn't available for purchase any more, since a new version had come out - and there was no longer a version for sale supporting my operating system.

The OH had acquired a copy a while back, and so I used his.

[originalenid.livejournal.com]

other situations not listed: if they over-price the software rediculously.

[anysia.livejournal.com]

Other possible reasons that should be listed: Older version of said software, still functional, but no longer supported. (Classic example, M$ going after a guy putting together old 386 and 486 computers and putting Windows 3 on them so disabled and lower income kids could have a computer. The sharks errr laywers from Micro$hit threatened to sue, even though they no longer sold, or would support techwise, the software.)