I agree that it is the reponsibility of the user to NOT use pirated software, and the while the existence of programs like Kazaa (and DeCSS, etc.) make pirating far easier and in some cases, simply possible, the world is better off for having them than not.
For example, when music CDs came out in the 80s record companies reaped significant profits off them, the margin on those things (especially now since the plants were paid for many years ago, I'm sure) has to be at least 1000%, even after paying the rock star and production costs (likely equal to or less than what McD's pays to make paper cups for Coke).
What is interesting now is watching the record companies attempt to protect their exorbitant profiteering, just like Micro$oft, just like pharmaceutical companies - in short, if there's a way to make serious money, there's a way to funnel it to politicians to preserve the status quo, no?
Programs like DeCSS and Kazaa force them to consider alternatives that they otherwise would ignore, to the detriment of the consumer. And ideally (remains to be seen) it makes politicians take the side of the little guy when they see the greed behind such business practices.
kevin orme
amiga university
www.amigau.com
