Re: Asimov Mirror Sites Access Information-- old Mac stuff

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

sloopy malibu writes ...
> 
> not too long ago i reported to apple, adobe, and a couple of other
> large well knowns in the Mac software industry about a guy selling
> hard drives with full cd images of their software (not all latest
> versions but if it wasnt latest it was on version before current
> i.e. Appleworks 4.0 (this was when 5 was current not 6....)) and the
> response basically was (from all of the ones who didnt send me a
> autoreply) was 'ok we will check into it' and nothing was done...
> this guy STILL sells them... i just got to the point where i said
> 'fluff it' (well not those words but you can pattern match ;') if they
> dont care why should i bother with telling them.... makes me wonder
> why i shelled out over $1500 for the mac software i have.....
> 
 ....


     Know how you feel. However, software makers routinely treat old versions
of products like Mac Appleworks as something close to 'abondonware'. They've
made nearly everything they are going to from it and are focused upon
promoting the current version.

     Whether or not the guy selling the old versions on hard disk should be
nailed for software piracy is unclear. You reported his actions and,
evidently, the owners of the old versions did not seek to close down his
business (which, since he is selling the added value of having the software,
should be easy).

     Really, it is not all that unlikely that the software makers actually
approve of having old versions distributed in this way. The current software
market is very competitive. If someone distributes, say, an old version of
your paint program the buyers are much more likely to eventually consider
buying your current version.

     A good example is the way old Paintshop Pro versions keep popping up on
promo CD's-- e.g. in the freebie CD you get when you buy a modem. It takes
time to become moderately skilled with any major utility. Once someone gets
used to using Paintshop Pro, he/she is 'hooked'. Buying any painter but the
new Paintshop Pro tosses a lot of learning down the drain.

     Viewing things in this light, you'd have to wonder what to do about
someone selling, say, drives with copies of old Borland software to computer
science students. Would you nail him for being a pirate or for being a Borland
agent engaged in unfair product promotion?



Rubywand