An Interesting Take on Software Piracy

Software and media piracy are the scourge of modern times. Or so we are told. I've often looked to claims by the RIAA and software makers of lost revenues as being mostly truthful, yet they still claim billions and billions in revenue, lost or not. Those involved in writing lousy software and piss-poor music become overnight millionaires weekly. So what's up?

Apple seems to get it: that piracy leads to market share. Getting out buzz about the product is the main thing.

So how about that for a business model?

AppleInsider | Apple drops anti-piracy measures from iWork '09:

"Piracy has also historically contributed to the popularity and market share of many apps by allowing users who are unlikely to ever pay for anything to use the software, resulting in wide adoption and subsequent sales from businesses, institutional buyers, and others who do pay for the software they use."