Software piracy

Mr. Zatni Arbi's stand on software piracy (The Jakarta Post, July 18, 1994) followed by Mr. Fenton's letter supporting outright admissions of piracy are very interesting and timely.

They do, however, make some compelling points, particularly for individual users of PCs: the cost can be prohibitive for most Indonesians to buy original software. Mr. Fenton, however, I suspect can well afford to be honest but chooses not to. The fact that there are almost continual new versions that are frequently not compatible with previous ones is nothing unique to computer software. A wise purchaser does his research beforehand.

Mr. Arbi, Windows 3.1 still works and is still available. If you want to use Windows 3.11 or Windows Chicago and your other software won't work with it, you have to make that all-important choice to either upgrade and spend a lot of money or don't upgrade and save a lot. I suspect that you will still be able to do the majority of your work. And Mr. Fenton, if you really need dBase 5 for your work, I suspect that your employer will pay for it if you really can justify it.

The fact is that purchasing, using or copying pirated software is theft, however you want to justify it. For business use, in any country, there is no justification. If you can afford the hardware, you can afford the software. How many companies in Indonesia spend Rp 3 million to Rp 10 million for a computer, monitor and printer and then won't buy original software? Would they steal the computer or paper or office supplies too? Of course not, but why are they so willing to steal the software? Because they know they won't go to jail?

You complain about the price being too high and new models coming out that are going to cost you even more money. Automobiles are expensive here yet there is no lack of cars costing Rp 250 million and more, both individually owned and company owned. I suspect that most of them are not stolen. The same individual or company who will spend that kind of money on a car won't have a single original program at home or at the office except that came free with the computer.

Finally, yes the USA does control the export of software, which is its right just as Indonesia controls the export of raw logs and timber.

LOUIS FRANCIS BLANCHARD JR.

Bontang, East Kalimantan