Re: OMG!

["Sheldon Simms" <sheldon@interprice.com>]

Im Artikel <X%CI6.24470$ua5.5922011@typhoon1.ba-dsg.net> schrieb "Frank
Townsend" <ftownsen@iamdigex.net>:

> No doubt there would be some attrition.  On the other hand if there were
> *no* piracy and some demand, folks would  look for legitimate sources
> and probably would buy copies.  In fact, I bought a copy of ProSel 8
> from Charlie's Appleseeds several months ago.

What sorts of legitimate sources do you mean? I, myself, am ready to
buy from companies or individuals distributing new copies of Apple
II software -- assuming I have an interest in obtaining the software
at all.

When the two choices I have are download from an FTP site, or buy a
used copy on eBay, then I'll download it. Like I said before, buying
a used original copy does nothing for the copyright holder, and if
the copyright holder isn't interested in distributing the software,
then I'll just get it somewhere else.

As for Prosel, it sounds to me like you just want to throw your money
away by buying a freeware program. Perhaps you just think of it as
Apple II charity. Fine, you can do that. I don't want to.

>  In the meantime, only the
>> relatively few people who have an original would be able to use and
>> enjoy the software. More to the point, it's an imaginary world. It will
>> never happen. Neither law enforcement agencies nor the judicial system
>> have the slightest interest in making your fantasy world real.
> The judicial system would certainly enforce an injunction in response to
> an action brought by a copyright holder and would also probably award
> attorney's fees.

It depends on the situation. If the copyright holder had shown no
interest in the program for years, and suddenly decided to go to
court, I think there's a good chance the case would be dismissed.
Even in a situation where the copyright holder had shown a continuous
interest in the product and went to court to protect it, I question
whether he would receive anything more than actual damages.

>> No. Without the ability to download stuff, most people would never buy
>> that old Apple II off eBay, or if they already have an Apple II, they'd
>> ust use what they already have or put the computer in a closet.
> Isn't this just speculation as to what most people would do?

Yes, of course.

> BTW, I
> recently bought a IIc+, then from eBay, a sw copy of GEOS for IIc+. 
> Didn't even try to find it to download.

That's your business. I downloaded GEOS from Asimov so that I could
use it to test my emulator.

>> Second off, you're full of it. People who buy old software like that on
>> eBay are looking for collectables, not programs.
> Nope.  I buy the stuff to use.
> Think about it. Who
>> would buy your shrinkwrapped copy?...
> No, I will pay more for a sw copy because the documentation will be
> included.

Documentation is not particularly crucial for most games (there are
exceptions, of course). Assuming we're talking about software that is
usable without having the documentation, that isn't available anywhere
except second-hand, or an FTP site, why would you buy it second-hand
instead of just downloading it?

>> People who just want to
>> play the game a few times and not going to compete with the collectors
>> and will not affect the end price.

> Something garbled about this last sentence.

change 'and' to 'are' and read it again.

-- 
sheldon@semanticedge.com  "The term (denotation t) denotes the object denoted
                           by the object denoted by t." -- KIF