Can You Guilt Someone Into Not Pirating Software?
from the probably-worth-a-shot dept
A bunch of folks have been submitting this story about USB Overdrive X's response to anyone who uses a pirated key to use their software. Basically, the company allows you to go ahead, but tells you (in a very human voice) that it knows it's a pirated code, and you should be ashamed of yourself:
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Will work some, but most people that pirate know what they are doing.
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I like it.
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Just buy it.
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HAHAHA! :D :D :D
Another tactic is being used by companies like Ipswitch (makers of WS FTP) who offer a demo version, but you can't unlock it with a crack code.
I'm wondering why companies can verify the hacked code don't just instantly disable the software? A legitimate user shouldn't have any problems as it's DRM free.
I'll tell you, though. After my issues with Adobe concerning upgrading Fireworks, I was SO tempted to just get a crack for CS3 and tell them to go "fuck themselves" because their "support" was so terrible, I'd rather omit them altogether from the picture.
Yes, I did the right thing by purchasing the software, although now I regret it.
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Why pay for IP, it should be free to everyone
Even this article slants towards telling everyone it's okay to pirate....
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It would have worked on me.
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Re: Why pay for IP, it should be free to everyone
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Re:
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Great idea
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Re: HAHAHA! :D :D :D
That is the kind of reasoning that the big execs generally like to use. Except its wrong. There are always innocents caught in the crossfire. At least with this method, the legit users who get caught in the crossfire are still able to use their software. I commend this company for not taking a more short-sighted approach like many people in similar industries tend to. It will also save them time supporting people over the phone who did buy the software, but their systems mistake it for pirated.
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USB Overdrive X
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They could use the same thing here. Buy the product and you get a picture of a developer who has been helped to survive the harsh conditions of IT. (Pay extra and he'll put clothes on)
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Just sell...
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It'll work
VERY smart.
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Re: USB Overdrive X
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Killin me
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Re: Why pay for IP, it should be free to everyone
Not "should". Should is making a moral statement. We're explaining the economics of why it *will* eventually be free, due to economic forces.
The post is directed at the producer, not the consumer.
Even this article slants towards telling everyone it's okay to pirate....
No, not at all. It's directed entirely at the content creator, not the consumer. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear.
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Re: USB Overdrive X
All devices need drivers, some can use a generic driver like your flash drive, which both Mac and windows have. Other require specific drivers and those aren't always able to be installed automatically.
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Pay? Of course!
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These guys do seem awfully nice though to offer support to people with pirated copies though. I know I'm not alone in this, but things I pirate I would have never purchased in the first place--so the company isn't losing any money.
I subscribe to every cable channel but still grab a pirated blockbuster now and again since I stopped going to theaters long ago. But when it hits DVD I'll buy it. Piracy also helps with some games. I actually purchased a copy of Bioshock which was riddled with DRM and 3rd party software that messed with my system and also did not allow me to uninstall it. It also ran like garbage with constant checks to make sure the disc was in my drive. I succumbed to piracy and grabbed the cracked version which ran flawlessly. Piracy has its good and bad sides.
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Re:
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Mybe the BEST IDEA ive seen yet
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Re: Re: Why pay for IP, it should be free to everyone
"Not "should". Should is making a moral statement. We're explaining the economics of why it *will* eventually be free, due to economic forces.
Sounds like that is a slanted opinion against IP.
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Re: Re: Re: Why pay for IP, it should be free to everyone
He also analyses the decision and suggests that happy customers that can freely use your products are better in the long run than annoyed customers who are frustrated with using your products.
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Re: HAHAHA! :D :D :D
Because, as their message indicates, it's a cat and mouse game that they've grown tired of playing. If they remotely disable the software, someone will crack that check, etc...
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Re: Just buy it.
I pay for what I need in life. I am an engineer with a good income who can afford software, music etc. Not an issue.
I usually don't play PC games, but I do buy them when I want to.
Just here a few hours ago, I was at Best Buy to pick up GTA4. I knew about the DRM but thought I would support a good cause. The good cause being to support the makers of good games.
But Standing there holding the game box in my hand and seeing the Securom disclaimer made me change my mind.
To me, it is no different that having unprotected sex with a person known to have the AIDS virus.
It will be fun for 6 minutes (average duration of having sex for humans). And then what? Now you have this unwanted software on YOUR property that you will have a really tough time getting rid of.
So I didn't buy it.
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Modify "copy" right
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Re: Re: Re: Why pay for IP, it should be free to everyone
The point is that IP is not real property. It is property that you think you own. It is only real in your head.
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hmm
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Re: Re:
History is full of examples where makers of quality become rich beyond their dreams. Unfortunately quality is the first thing to go out the window these days. And my support for your products with it.
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Re: hmm
When they start selling it again (if ever), I will be the first in line to hand over my paycheck.
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Re: Re: Re:
If I invest 10k hours into producing a program that I then sell for $1000 per copy each buyer benefits by not having to pay me for the full 10k hours worked. Just because the first person bought the IP doesn't mean that I have earned a return on my investment.
I own anything I CREATE I don't care if it's a chair or a computer program, not one other person has a right to anything I create without compensating me for my work. ONLY I make the choice of giving my work away for free...
THANK GOD most civilized people understand this and people that believe as this site tries to preach are in the minority!
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Crapware
I am now holding my head down in shame for this and I guess I should keep it there for the thousands upon thousands of DLs to include every new movie, popular software titles, and any music I want. ALL THINGS DIGITAL ARE FREE!!!
***SHARING IS CARING***
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Re: Re: Re: Re:
Do you then think the cost of the car should be unadjusted?
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Re: Re: Re: Re:
You still seem to be under the impression that IP is a natural occurrence - it isn't. The works that are classified as IP would naturally be free to all without the legal structure enforcing artificial scarcity. The argument is why "intellectual property" should not be free, not the other way around.
The authors of the Constitution understood this - their reason was to "promote the progress", not to ensure that you receive an adequate return on investment.
I own anything I CREATE I don't care if it's a chair or a computer program
In terms of the computer program, not really. What you actually own is the copyright or patent, not the work itself. Citing Locke's property theory is all well and good, but there are certainly problems in attempting to apply it to "intellectual property". It doesn't really matter if you care or not.
ONLY I make the choice of giving my work away for free...
Due to your constant repetition of this statement in various posts, I can only assume you're exhibiting willful ignorance of the fact that NO ONE has contradicted it.
THANK GOD most civilized people understand this and people that believe as this site tries to preach are in the minority!
There's a difference between understanding a position and agreeing with it. I understand your position, but due to the fact that it's based on excessive use of the "because" defense and faulty logic, I disagree with it.
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Re: Pay? Of course!
Here's a place for you to go to enlighten yourself:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/apple-mac-leopard-windows-vista,1985.html
Hope you don't hurt yourself reading observations and data that actually rely on fact.
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Re: USB Overdrive X
For example Button 5 on my MS Bluetooth mouse opens a link in a new window in Safari and Opera, but changes to the Select tool in Photoshop.
It works better for assigning mouse functions than MS or Logitech's drivers. This adding value. Thus being worthy of paying for.
Since they are so cool about registering, I just might pay for my copy now!
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Re: Re: Pay? Of course!
two, If you failed to read the entire article, They have not as of yet cut there prices on upgrades that still fall more in line with there "traditional" pricing which is frankly ridiculaus.
And three, the fact that they are expensive in and of itself isn't the point, Its the fact,(at least before they went completely intel) that they were god awful expensive, and tried to make you use only there parts to boot.
Voodoo pcs are god awful expensive, but the people critizies macs for being expensive won't critisize them because there focus is on power and performs as opposed to style and proprietaritiasm.
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The plain fact
Except for the technically inclined, were still at the state were if a consumer wants somthing, its not worth the trouble stealing it and working to try and make it work than just buying it.
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this program is Shareware, it comes FULLY unlocked, but has a minor pause at start time. all registering does is remove the wait and registration reminder.
pretty minor reason to pirate the key in the first place.
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Why pay for IP, it should be free to everyone
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Re: USB Overdrive X
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Why pay for IP, it should be free to everyone
Nice try. He said it wasn't property, not that it didn't exist. And unless you've figured out a way to remove ideas from someone's head, you can't steal it. But keep trying - someday you'll get it right.
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Re: Re: Re: Re:
First, and foremost, if you believe YOU own it, then you're part of the problem. If I download your software, it's mine. NOT yours. You can argue this all you want, but your statement clearly shows you don't understand your true business, which isn't the product you've created.
"THANK GOD most civilized people understand this and people that believe as this site tries to preach are in the minority!"
I'm a software developer/web designer. My works are, and always have been, offered with no cost (money, ads, etc.) to the user. I used to port many of my creations to Winsite to help "publish" my creations.
Why at no cost? Because I used it as my portfolio for consultant jobs. Winsite was great because it showed the number of downloads and how the software was rated. Back in the day, my consulting jobs were easier to obtain due to my portfolio.
You should note your business is writing code, not your creation. You SHOULD get paid for your writing, but not through your creations. In essence, you should have someone pay you to write code.
The problem now (and the reason I left consulting) is that the web makes software easily available. Try to charge for it, and people will simply crack it. But you can't simply post a message stating "I'm willing to write this code. Pay me now, and I'll do it." because that plan simply won't work.
So how do you get people to pay for your creations online? You don't. Use the internet as a tool, not a business, because it's impossible to make money solely on the web, especially without another source.
Read the poster who cracked CS4 for further proof. This software hasn't even been out for 3 months yet, and voila... it's now available for "free" to anyone who doesn't want to pay.
Also, expecting people to pay for software has always been a stupid concept from the beginning, but like every other ignorant "business", profits are more important than consumers.
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To Twinrova
If you produce a quality product at a good price, then add value to this product with support, updates, ect, those who would have bought it before it was cracked still will. Those who pirate it will only serve as walking talking commercials and increse YOUR market share.
Publishers need to stop thinking that they deserve millions for distributing alone.
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Re: Just buy it.
Why should I have to buy the program to learn how to use it? Maybe I won't like it. Allowing free downloads is a great tool.
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freetards
they are the true monsters, they should be forced to give away the source code and then kill themselves
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Re: freetards
Try reading the article next time.
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then went on to say "I have a much better solution, let me tell you how to run your business" and linked to an article with a crap selling music / concert analogy that has no relation to software
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Yeah that's what I said, and what you chose to ignore in your first post. There was no criticism aimed at the company for making software pirates feel guilty, and no mention of forcing the company to give away anything, and certainly none of the childish name-calling that you resorted to. It was a compliment to the company that they chose to forego the use of DRM.
"I have a much better solution, let me tell you how to run your business"
No, it was an opinion that relies on basic economics for support. Your little rant, however, is nothing more than a straw man, injecting a morality attack where none was presented. Why don't you try refuting what was actually said instead of what you wanted it to say?
linked to an article with a crap selling music / concert analogy that has no relation to software
So your assertion is that basic economics doesn't apply to the software industry? The article, which you inappropriately dismissed as only applying to the music industry, discusses the logic of selling the scarce goods attached to the infinite components. Software is a non-scarce good, therefore what is discussed in the linked article is relevant.
That your summation of the linked article was "crap" without any support means you either glossed over the article without actually reading it, or that you're either unable or unwilling to defend your own position. Given the manner and content of your comment, I'm inclined towards "unable".
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Fighting piracy with shame
For myself, if I were pirating, such an approach would make me stop, depend on it! At the same time, the more draconian approach usually taken makes me feel very protective of downloaders. While I don't do it myself, I would certainly never turn them in, or try to impede them in any way.
I think I can sum it up by saying, "Let's throw some tea into the harbor!"
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piracy
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