No, you can't borrow my studio.
Everyone loses things from time to time. A key for the garden shed; a receipt for a pair of shoes you meant to return; then lens cap off your camera when you’re on holiday. It sucks.
But when somebody else TAKES something from you, it hurts more. The thought of some desperate nuisance deciding to take what isn’t theirs, willingly, is a stinging feeling. It makes you angry, resentful, and somewhat overcautious for a while.
If I lost my phone, the thought of someone else wandering around using MY phone, with MY apps, would be maddening. I paid for that phone, so I should be the one enjoying it. Not them. How dare they? I bought it with my cash, and I deserve to be using it.
So when I have bought software (which can, for something like an Adobe suite, run into thousands of dollars) and I hear of someone else using a copy they downloaded for free, I take it personally. Why should I (the one with a conscience) have to pay for something that other people (without consciences) get to enjoy for free?
Of course, I answered my own question. I like to live with a clear conscience. I like to work (and record music) legally. I like to be able to proudly phone or email tech support when I have an issue, and be able to get all the help I need.
On their website, Adobe have something to say about the effects of software piracy:
Illegal distribution of software affects the worldwide economy. With an estimated 36% piracy rate globally, the economic effects are significant. In 2001, according to the Business Software Alliance, piracy cost the global economy over US$13 billion dollars in lost tax revenues that would benefit local communities. Hundreds of thousands of jobs in software and related industries were also lost.*
In other sources, that figure is as high as $50 billion, but I think $13 billion is high enough. That’s still a mountain of money. Adobe also admits that piracy hinders further development by crippling the revenues of software companies. They go on to state:
Pirated software can carry viruses or may not function at all. Unlicensed users do not receive quality documentation and are not entitled to receive technical support or product upgrades, patches, or updates. Organizational productivity also suffers when employees use pirated products. Pirated software often leads to version control problems that prevent employees from efficiently sharing files, while driving up IT support costs.
Even for self-interest, it would make sense that anyone interested in using a particular piece of software for any length of time would be interested in investing in it’s longevity. As an example, I was using Smultron for some time before it ceased being developed. This was actually due to the developer didn’t “have the time to spend on the applications that they deserve.” Still, I was little upset that there would be no more updates, so when it came to looking for a text editor that had more functionality, I went with a paid option. Imagine if other software would cease to be simply because pirates had stolen revenue from the developers?
Even if you think you aren’t hurting anyone, consider this. You didn’t pay for that software, and you don’t have the right to use it. You’re also hurting the working professionals with a conscience (and need for support and further upgrades) by potentially raising prices.
Honestly – if you’re not using much of this software in your business, you don’t need most of the features anyhow. Here are some free (or cheap) alternatives to software that pirates may be using:
- Photoshop Elements (Image Editor)
- Gimp (Image Editor)
- Open Office (Wordprocessing, spreadsheet, etc)
- SwishMax (Easy Flash creator)
- Audacity (Audio Recording)
- Windows Movie Maker (Video Editing for Windows)
- iMovie (Video Editing for OS X)
* Adobe Source