[CS-FSLUG] Proprietary Software: Capitalism or Greed?

[Robert W.]

On Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:03:05 -0600 doc <edoc7 at verizon.net> wrote:
> > Software, digital music, digital movies, etc have an extremely low
> > cost for copying. You can make perfect copies in minutes. That
> > covers both production and distribution. And that ease comes
> > inherently from the media. The question, in my mind, becomes "should
> > the consumer understand and follow a complicated contract or should
> > the author find a medium that better protects their ideas?"
[snip...]
> The musician invests months or years in developing
> and exceptional piece of music.
> 
> He and his family sacrifice financially and socially
> during this time.
> 
> Under the propositions posted here once he has sold
> a single copy he no longer has any right to expect
> any compensation for his efforts.

I wouldn't say that a musician doesn't deserve compensation. I would
say that you can't, in a practical manner, restrict digital data.
Copying is inherent in the medium. If a musician wants to make money
from his creation, then use a medium that doesn't lend itself to nearly
costless production.

Any item (music, movie, or software) produced electronically MUST make
all of its money from the first copy. The musician should charge $10,000
for the very first CD copy. Because after that he has little chance of
making any more.

This has nothing to with whether that's good or bad. It's just the
reality of electronic medium. And any solution (legal or philosophical)
must acknowledge that reality. Current copyright law does not. Or more
to the point, proprietary licenses don't.

Does that help clarify? I appreciate the comments. It makes me think
harder about what I'm really wanting to say.

-- 
Robert W.
robertwo at insightbb.com

Who of you by worrying can add a single 
hour to his life? -- Matthew 6:27