davidbrierley@lynx.northeastern.edu (05/25/89)
In arecent Info-Apple posting, Doug Gwyn wrote:
"There is no such thing as an 'early version penalty'. You
(or somebody) just invented that in an attempt to justify
ripping off software producers."
First of all, I'd like to point out that there is no evidence that
I condone software piracy, especially considering all my recent messages
(perhaps Mr. Gwyn should read them a bit more carefully). It appears to
me that the author was trying to express his opinion that anyone who
questions any aspect of software publishing (especially high 'upgrade'
fees) is to be dismissed as a software pirate - whether they are a pirate
or not. That opinion is just as invalid as the pirates' opinion that all
software producers are outrageously greedy. Furthermore, I find it irrational
to condemn the unethical act of piracy while, in the same sentence, comit the
unethical act of libel. I used the term "EVP" because that is how some
consumers view high 'upgrade' fees, irregardless of the euphemisms the
publisher invents. All the legislation in the world (like S.198) won't
change that view - so high fees may be one of the temptations to piracy;
that is why I asked for some type of upgrade fee restraint.
On another note I can e-mail copies of Senate bill S.198 (Computer
Software Rental Amendments Act) from the Copyright and Trademarks
Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee. It is the bill (sponsored
by Sen. Orrin Hatch [R]) that illegalizes the lending of recorded media,
like tape casettes, diskettes, etc. If you would like a copy send e-mail
to the address below and mark the subject field in your message as
"Copy bill". If I receive more than twenty requests I will post a copy
here.
davidbrierley@lynx.northeastern.edu