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.
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