Software Price Gap Between the US and Europe

Kensai7 writes "A quick comparison between same versions of mainstream software sold in the USA and the EU markets show a big difference in the respective price tags. If you want to buy online, let's say, Adobe's Dreamweaver CS3, you'll have to pay $399 if you live in the States, but a whopping E570 (almost $900 in current exchange rates!) if you happen to buy it in Germany. Same story for Microsoft's newest products: Expression Web 2 in America costs only $299 new, but try that in Italy and they will probably ask you no less than E366 ($576!). How can such an abyssal difference be explained? I understand there are some added costs for the localized translated versions, but I also thought the Euro was supposed to be outbuying the dollar. Where's the catch?"

Comments

'E' is not a currency symbol

[pieterh]

Sorry to be pedantic, but it's EUR or Euro or that funny lowercase 'e' that my keyboard does not type.

The main reason prices are higher in Europe is that the market for translated software has less competition and people place a higher value on getting stuff in their own language than in US English.

Also, maybe because Europeans are nicer and less willing to complain when they get ripped off.

Anyhow, the price reflects the market, not the product.

Re:Nothing New

[gyranthir]

Total Phale?