Computersight -

As the world reaches the highest peak of technologies and multimedia, dozens of software been created and distributed every month and competing with each other to be on the top of the charts. Unfortunately, all the software is so expensive that most of the people around the world cannot afford them. This is when the pirate takes it course on the hearts of millions. Why pirates so successful compared to original software?

In my opinion, the first thing that make pirate so successful is definitely the price. Pirate DVD and CD is cheap compared to the original copy. Original copy of Microsoft Office 2007 is almost Rm2000 while the pirate copy of Microsoft Office 2007 is only Rm10. Most people would probably think is it worth Rm2000? For developers and companies, it is not a question but for home user, Rm2000 is just too much for a CD of DVD.

The pirate sails with a full tide is also because of the quality. The quality of the original copy and the pirate copy is as good as it is, especially if it came from the master copy itself. The quality of an original copy is unbeatable but the quality of the pirate CD or DVD is just a step behind. It could never beat the original but at least it can be like one.

Many people in this world are still poor. It is estimated that 70% of people around the world have a net salary between $200 and $2000. The number shows that they got many other things to pay rather than spending the whole salary on software. If the price of the original copy can be lower down to a minimum price, I bet that the scenario of a winning pirate could have ended long ago. Unfortunately, over the years, the price of the original copy is still high hence many people got no choice but to favor the pirate.

Without the pirate DVD and CD, most of the people around the world will be IT blind because they could not afford the price of certain software. For example, you will not find a teenager that is good in Adobe Illustrator if there is no pirate CD that only cost Rm10. This is because if there is no cheap CD, the teen will never afford to buy such expensive CD.

Battling against pirate is something that should be done so that the one who deserved the credit will not suffer but the battle shall become a total lost and failure if the software developers did not find a way to cut down the price. In this battle, price is the main reason why the pirate still alive and been supported by the public. The cut down of the original copy CD or DVD prices would definitely cut down the march of a pirate CD or DVD.

P/s: My Windows XP Home Edition is original copy and it’s cost me Rm180. Pirate price would only be RM10.