I think that if copyright were abolished, the sale of software would still continue, albeit in a more limited way, paticularly in the business world, even if everything were open-sourced.
Think of this: if you are an IT manager, are you going to trust the OS of all your production machines to some random Joe Schmo's distribution of "Free OS" downloaded from freebies.com? No way, you are still going to get it from a reputable source, and if you have to pay for it, all the better. The sale is in fact a sort of support contract in itself, because the exchange of funds for software thus gives you the right to go after the seller, if not legally, at least create bad press, if there is a failure.
A similar thing would happen with entertainment media. Even though I can get just about any movie in digital form off of Pirate Bay practically the day it is released, I will still pay money to see it in the theater. Why? Because of the experience, and because I know the picture and sound quality are going to meet certain standards (e.g. THX). Just like I will still go to a concert even if I have downloaded the album.
The physical design of many hardware devices, such as automobiles, is pretty much open-source, hence the existence of Chilton's service manuals and the like. But would I theoretically trust my life to a car built from open specs by Larry down the street? Again, no way.
Yes, among hackers (of all stripes), no one would pay for anything anymore. But if I want to take the girlfriend to a movie, or acquire software for work that works as expected the first time, or trust my life to a car, I will gladly pay a fair price for the assurance that it will "just work."
The good news is that overtly crappy software (e.g. Windows ME & Vist) would never see the light of day. But good quality products will still be profitable, and will command a price.
After my previous employer went belly up, I was totally fed up with making totally unappreciative and uncomprehending PHBs rich. At first I tried doing independent consulting, but an opportunity opened up to work as the "Information Processing Consultant" at a university-run research facility. They seem to be quite well-funded, judging from the hardware they're giving me for my desk [brand-new 18" flat-panel display for starters], and seem to have a generally laid-back atmosphere, judging from my nearly full-day interview I had with the director and several researchers.
Pointing out that food has impurities is actually illegal in some states. They're called "food disparagement laws" and are the result of heavy lobbying by the food industry. (See this story.) Causing loss of potential profits is rapidly becoming a crime in this increasingly megacorporate-controlled country called the USA.
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I think that if copyright were abolished, the sale of software would still continue, albeit in a more limited way, paticularly in the business world, even if everything were open-sourced.
Think of this: if you are an IT manager, are you going to trust the OS of all your production machines to some random Joe Schmo's distribution of "Free OS" downloaded from freebies.com? No way, you are still going to get it from a reputable source, and if you have to pay for it, all the better. The sale is in fact a sort of support contract in itself, because the exchange of funds for software thus gives you the right to go after the seller, if not legally, at least create bad press, if there is a failure.
A similar thing would happen with entertainment media. Even though I can get just about any movie in digital form off of Pirate Bay practically the day it is released, I will still pay money to see it in the theater. Why? Because of the experience, and because I know the picture and sound quality are going to meet certain standards (e.g. THX). Just like I will still go to a concert even if I have downloaded the album.
The physical design of many hardware devices, such as automobiles, is pretty much open-source, hence the existence of Chilton's service manuals and the like. But would I theoretically trust my life to a car built from open specs by Larry down the street? Again, no way.
Yes, among hackers (of all stripes), no one would pay for anything anymore. But if I want to take the girlfriend to a movie, or acquire software for work that works as expected the first time, or trust my life to a car, I will gladly pay a fair price for the assurance that it will "just work."
The good news is that overtly crappy software (e.g. Windows ME & Vist) would never see the light of day. But good quality products will still be profitable, and will command a price.
AFAIK, SMB was not "reverse engineered" -- Microsoft actually submitted the spec to IETF in 1996.
Check out the immediate reply to the original announcement. The guy says "There's no need to slashdot internic.net tomorrow morning."
After my previous employer went belly up, I was totally fed up with making totally unappreciative and uncomprehending PHBs rich. At first I tried doing independent consulting, but an opportunity opened up to work as the "Information Processing Consultant" at a university-run research facility. They seem to be quite well-funded, judging from the hardware they're giving me for my desk [brand-new 18" flat-panel display for starters], and seem to have a generally laid-back atmosphere, judging from my nearly full-day interview I had with the director and several researchers.
Wish me luck, I start Monday.
Pointing out that food has impurities is actually illegal in some states. They're called "food disparagement laws" and are the result of heavy lobbying by the food industry. (See this story.) Causing loss of potential profits is rapidly becoming a crime in this increasingly megacorporate-controlled country called the USA.