So, you think your free copy of Photoshop, Microsoft Office, or Deus Ex is not hurting the software industry? Heck, it's only a couple hundred dollars worth of software, no one will ever know. Yeah right. Companies such as the Business Software Alliance are cracking down on software pirates. Do you want to pay $150,000 per copy of pirated software you have? I didn't think so.

Ok, so maybe you'll never get caught. It's just those dufusses on eBay who are selling pirated software who will get caught and penalized, right? Well, that may be mostly true, but is it really worth that risk. Give me a reason you pirate software, and I'll show you someone who lies to their selves to say "I'm not really stealing."

For instance, many people say "I wouldn't have bought it anyway, so they aren't loosing a sale." Then why did you pirate it? If you use it, pay for it, otherwise, you shouldn't have it in your possession. Do you just do it because you can? That makes you just as bad as a pickpocket. Do you want somebody stealing you wallet as you take a stroll down the sidewalk? Then why do you take from someone else's wallet?

Other people feel that software producers make so much anyway, that they won't care if you take one $400 program. I guess that means that software companies don't really care about loosing over $12 billion per year. And I guess you wouldn't care if your boss decided to give you a 10% cut in your wage, just for the heck of it.

I guess this is where you expect me to say "If you wouldn't pirate, prices wouldn't be so high." Well, although that might be part of it, that's not why prices are so dang high. It's because these very smart individuals require a lot of compensation for their hard work. It takes hours upon hours to write good programs, and all that time adds up. So, while I agree that software piracy isn't the sole cause of super high prices in software, it's definitely not nil. Some people estimate that software prices would be anywhere from 20-40% lower if it weren't for piracy.

Here's my chance to ask you something you should really think about. If you are a pirate, can you still call yourself a Mac head? By pirating that software, publisher's Mac sales are down, causing them to rethink their Mac line. Although the same argument could go to PC users, they have the luxury of the overwhelming majority of the market share. It's not a right that we get software for our beloved Mac, it's a privilege. By taking the money away that these companies would use to make a Mac version of their software, you may be taking away the chance for a Mac version at all.

While I doubt anyone of you out there are going to change your mind about this article, I hope it at least makes you think twice before you hit the next download button. Maybe you will realize that what you are doing is stealing, plain and simple. No argument can get you around it, you are a thief. Remember that if someday, the Feds come knocking at your door.

P.S. Don't forget to take a look at he Software Piracy FAQ.