White Paper
the Counterfeit Problem
Why Isn't Software Better Protected?
The software market, particularly as exemplified by Microsoft, reveals the final problem to confront an anti-counterfeit strategy.
Software is unique amongst widely copied products in that it is inherently protectable. It has been possible since computing began to limit the operation of software to legitimate users with a variety of very effective techniques. Why are they so seldom used? Because effective anti piracy measures have the effect of pushing your potential market towards the unprotected competition. In other words, the author's haven't considered piracy as high a priority as market share. Software producers have chosen to take the long term view, in which market share and consumer familiarity matter more than pyrrhic victory over the pirates. Microsoft operating systems are estimated to be on 93% of the world's desktops. They've probably been paid for less than 20%. Do they really care? Do they need to care?
We shall argue elsewhere that since, September 11 2001, there is actually a case that WE - the Microsoft users - need to care. Or, more precisely, that by protecting Microsoft we can do a great deal to protect ourselves.
