"klak" == Khuzaima A Lakdawala klak@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in writes:
klak> On Fri, 13 Sep 2002 10:24:17 +0530, Raghavendra Bhat wrote: >> Mahesh posts : >> >> >> saying that software piracy is harming the free software >> movement >> more than it is harming the Giants themselves >> >> Illegally copied software cannot harm the Free Software >> movement because no revenue stream is hit.
klak> [snip]
klak> However, Mahesh's assumption that if such a locked-in entity klak> is "raided" for piracy, s/he/they will switch to free klak> software is not convincing because the hidden costs of such klak> a switch may be too high; re-training, migration of klak> proprietary format data, even porting of custom klak> applications, these may all serve as huge disincentives to klak> switching. Therefore, if "raided", it might be less costly klak> for such an entity to go out and purchase a proprietary klak> software license than switch to free software.
Not just that. If you (hypothetically) are raided and found with illegally copied software on your premises or your computer you are liable to be put into jail. Also as far as I know a miniscule percentage of people from companies that have been raided have actually been put in jail. What happens to the rest?
Well, MS and Adobe et al and their minions the BSA and NASSCOM step in and tell you, `So which do you prefer, going to jail or purchasing the software legally?'
Guess which option most companies take?
-- Raju