The figures sound (are meant to sound?) sensational. Could we suggest that these guys try marking Free Software instead? FN

The GNU GPL grants a means of livelihood, that could well be seen as a right flowing from the GPL. All software "pirates" could turn respectable by distributing GNU/Linux software and live with dignity. The lottery agents in Parrys Corner, Chennai, used to scream in the streets, "Saar, 10 rupees lottery. 3.00 PM draw. You can become crorepathi!" Recently, the Government of Tamil Nadu abolished lotteries and all the lottery agents suddenly went without employment, after the High Court confirmed the state action. Now the agents are selling watches: "Saar, 60 rupees worth watch for only 20 rupees". Could any cost-accountant in the list prepare an estimate of the worth of all free software available? Though free software is priceless [pun unintended] I modestly estimate the value of all free software to be Rs. One Hundred Crore per *distribution*. [Rs. 100,000,000,000/-]. Our road side distributors could then say "Saar, several crores of rupees worth software for only fifty rupees!". Better versions of free software are released almost every month, and this is guaranteed to be a perpetual business like the FMG segment.

Gandhi asked our people to take to weaving Kadhi and other cottage industries to make a living, and be self reliant. Because of the GPL, free software CDs could be a source of income to many. The lottery agent is an example of the freedom of livelihood at the lowest level. At the other higher levels, we are already having corporations, and others doing brisk business, fully aware of the bright future of free software.

The GPL is clearly ahead of our constitution here, in making right to livelihood a reality.