Seriously I don't think the anti-piracy activities will benefit
companies such as Microsoft, Adobe, and Macromedia in the long run.
It will instead, tip in favor of Linux, and Sun Microsystems and
other freeware companies. Why?
Let's see the minds of the people who buys pirated stuff: "I will
never buy original stuff. So expensive!!". So even if piracy was
eradicated, they would never ever convince / persuade these people
to buy their original goods, as what they want are goods as cheap
as possible. Well, maybe initially they will buy those original
goods, but I can say, 5 - 10 years from now, if Linux, a freeware
OS, becomes even more user-friendly, many people will flock to it
as it is nearly free. And oh of course, StarOffice. It is free to
download, a small fee if you want it by post. When they become more
powerful in features, you will know what will happen.
Another thing: Right now, the average age of having an advanced IT
knowledge is getting smaller and smaller. However, if the
government's wish is to educate all students on IT, I think the
wish would be dead. To enable the students to have a greater
knowledge of IT means that the students should have the necessary
programs installed IN THEIR COMPUTER, such as Adobe and Macromedia.
However the parents of the students do not understand the
importance of the programs and even if they do, they would have no
money to buy. Look, Adobe and Macromedia products have
unrealistically high prices. How are the students to get them into
their computer? They have absolutely no way to do it except buying
pirated CDs.
I am not a avid supporter of pirated CDs, but when piracy was
totally eradicated, this will be the destiny: Big Companies will
lose money, Freeware Companies will gain revenue. However, this
destiny can be avoided only if the companies reduce their prices,
not by little, but by lots.
