Piracy

["Tim in Town" <timf@rmi.net>]

The continuing tirades against software piracy, are getting old; very, very
old.  Piracy has existed in one form or another since humans started
interacting with one another, and to think that its going to simply
disappear in our supposed enlightened age is ludicrous and naive.

A two part solution for new software occurs to me:  Software Registration
and Registered User Support, strictly enforced.  SoftwareGS is available
_only_ from Developer/Reseller X, who keeps exact records of who bought
*and _registered_* a legal copy of SoftwareGS.  When RegisteredUser needs
assistance he contacts Developer/Reseller X, who confirms RegisteredUsers
identity.  Additionally, _only_ those who are confirmed RegisteredUsers of
SoftwareGS receive free/discounted updates; anyone else is SOL.  Each legal
copy of SoftwareGS has a unique registration number; if RegisteredUser
sells his copy of SoftwareGS to someone else, he relinquishes all rights to
SoftwareGS and the registration number.  The new owner must contact
Developer/Reseller X to establish her ownership of SoftwareGS.

Now, I realize that this isn't a perfect solution.  A more devious method
of software protection would be to include code which would destroy the
copy of SoftwareGS if anyone tried to make an illegal copy of it.  By
"destroy" I mean literally delete the software from the storage medium. 
Also, you could include a virus which would only be released into the host
system if someone attempted to pirate the software.  Labels in the
packaging/documentation/installation sequence could alert the user to the
presence of this code/virus, so that by using the software the user
acknowledges his responsibility in guarding against piracy.

A harsh solution, but IMO justified.


-- 
in Town,
Tim