c0rd said:
Well, here's my answer: Nobody actually physically loses anything when the developing world gets to have their fun with it. If I told you aliens from space have been pirating all our (humans') media the entire time, should we be upset? The fact is, they weren't even potential customers, so why cry over it? I've pirated my share and I'm not about to try and justify it, but I think there are situations where it isn't so bad. All the arguments surrounding this is based on the premise that our current economic system is fair, when I don't think it is. It's okay keeping hard working people from enjoying certain entertainment just because they were born in a third world country? Hell, I myself have probably been enjoying life a bit too much considering my contribution to society. There are people who are lucky enough to inherit tons of money from their family, is that fair? Now, I don't think piracy is a good thing, but until there is a way for developing countries to get stuff reasonably affordable, there will be a legitimate argument for it. When you say China would be a better place to satisfy your gaming needs, you're missing the point. We aren't talking about people with western/developed salaries here - we're talking about Chinese people and the money they are able to spend. If there are wealthy people in China, they have no excuse for pirating stuff. |
Like i said i at do partly understand it in developing countries, but when you are paying 60 cents for a copy of a game, or windows or whatever you like, that is more than leveling the playing field. I'm on a Chinese salary and i could buy the whole Wii collection on the average monthly salary here (and i'm in poor China).
Look, are there worse kinds of evil in the world, sure, but who can blame software companies for trying to stop it because there is no way they can ever compete with 60 cents per game.
