Cracked

Consequential-ism would always teaches us to examine standards for the rightness and wrongness of our action. Definitively, ethics plays a big role in our action in whichever facets of life. Software piracy has been a constant headache for industries who have been investing billions in its research and development. The recent news on the underground business of illegal software distribution has been hurting the industry itself. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20004783-93.html  

It all boils down to affordability and accessibility of the software especially those who come from countries or areas where their national GDP is incomparably lower than the average requirement for decent living. However, with the rise of IT-based industries, the demand for softwares have been increasingly dictating the surging price which even a regular employee would hesitate to buy. This is even worst when software piracy is tolerated and has become a mainstream choice over the original. Who would not like this, when the cracked version is way cheaper than the original. At some point buying original becomes a source of guilt and frustration after knowing a friend acquiring the same software at the cheapest price possible. Is it not unfair?

The end does not always justifies the means but when it comes to price and spending capacity, buying pirated and original seem to be relatively fine!  Then the promise of not sharing it for conscience sake tries to rectify the action but afterwards a needy friend would always be another story. So the blame game now tries to point out whose action should be considered liable, the seller of the pirated copy or the person who shared it to others in the act of goodwill? (This will need another blog concentrating on normative ethics)

New generation softwares have been the name of the game and having it in original is tantamount to huge investment which at our end point seem to be impossible to recover considering our competitors (in a business set-up) would have the cracked version of the same software sparing them from cashing out that big. Then the loser's sign creeps in the forehead!

Perhaps, software companies should start thinking the other way around. Well it is a challenge to turn the tides towards the consumers whose thinking revolves on how much rather than if it is right or wrong. Punitive measures will not work I suppose, especially in countries where there is limited capacity to crack down the illegal trade, unless they will have to invest much and set-up one for each target country.

At my point of view, it is time to rethink the campaign strategy of these software companies. In countries where retail is a dominant style of procurement, why not come-up with pre-paid software offers which come handy to those who only need it for a specific time. This might be like load wallets or e-loads common to cellphone users wherein you only pay what you want. The strategy might be effective in countries like the Philippines (taking-off on the assumption that loading business has been significant contributor in the growth of mobile providers).

This might not be an overnight job but with careful measures initiated by the software industries along with the host countries, the issue might be taken minimal. However, as long as the crack versions are made readily available, still consistent patrons would prefer this over the original, unless they grow some concern for the software companies (Conscience working here insert ).

N.B.This is conscience perhaps talking behind my back while doing this piece. I am not confessing anything in this blog, the authorities might be tracking every piece in the net (paranoid) but I enjoyed the cracks(ers). They are life savers, by the way they helped me along the way finishing my communication degree in college.