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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jraynack" data-source="post: 4748962" data-attributes="member: 13894">That is the reason why, I quoted you on the last point.  Anytime you put something on the web, it has a potential to become file sharing.For instance, I wanted some WotC .pdfs on my iPod Touch.  I did not pay for the full version of an APP that allows me to do it by posting it to a private, protected server.  I chose the free version to try it out.  The free version uses a public server, therefore I DID NOT put those .pdfs on there because of the possibility of them being illegally downloaded.  I did put things on it, however, that other companies were distributing for free.Which, again, we put out free products and if they are free, I don't care how many times or where, or who downloads them.No, I do not have to make a choice. 1) I know it comes with the territory, but it does not mean I have to like it. 2) I do have friends that pirate and I will not rat on them.  Does it mean I like it or accept it? No, I take them, as a whole, rather than judge them by an incident (unless that incident defines them).  But if they get caught and carted away to jail, that was their decision.  I would be sorry for them, and support them when they get out, but it doesn't change the fact what they did was illegal.I keep on hearing police state and George Orwell.  I would like to stop those people right now and tell them, "Take a break from the forum, actually read his books, fully digest them, and then come back for a real conversation."Some people confuse file sharing with censorship or limiting personal liberty, and it is not.  Believe it or not, I am an idealist (or else I wouldn't be a .pdf publisher).Serious research, no.   It is not needed cause I have the answer, and it took me a second to collect the data.  The majority of our sales for that particular product took place in the first four to five weeks - around 240.  According to the date it was made available on the file share until today, we sold around 30 more.To be clear, I never said it cost us money - if you read my post, I said potential money.  There is a difference.  But, it was one of our best sellers out of the gate, enough so, it did get recognition to be put up into a file share along with several WoTC books.I did joke with my friends, "That is how I know I hit the big time, my product was file shared!"I recognize that the person who did it was probably a fan, but if he knew how hard I worked on that project for the little money I got in return, I am sure he wouldn't have done it.  And it wasn't like I was charging an arm and a leg ($3.95), but I might consider raising my prices on future products to offset what I might potentially loose to file sharing.Now, if our Feudal Lords setting takes off when it is released due to the file sharing of that small product, than I will stand corrected and might change the way I do business.  But, as I am an idealist, I am also a realist.  There are a lot more people who will download something for free than people who will download it and then say, "Hey, I like this - I think I will buy it eventhough I have a free, illegally downloaded copy."Look, I am not a hard a**.  If you bought the Player's Handbook and wanted a .pdf copy and you downloaded a from a file share, that is one thing.  But, downloading it for free with no intention to buy a copy or putting it up so others (and I mean more than just your friends; because thinking that only your friends will download it is simply naive) might download it without buying it is wrong.And yes, I know what I just said is a little hippocritical and causes a bit of a conundrum ("How can you download it if the guy you say was wrong put it up in the first place, blah, blah, blah), but we are all human and that is exactly what humans are. Oh, one last thing about the academia bit, because I worked a little in that field.  Besides being the nature of the field, it is true that your work is distributed freely, but you were paid by the institution while writing the paper or performing experiments.  And, most often, you (and I mean you in general) get pressure from the higher ups to consistantly produce material.  You can't just sit back and teach classes all day.The issue is not wholly about distribution (or even copyright), the issue is payment for a job/service/product, etc.  You still got paid and, if the paper was good, increased your job security, chance for a Nobel prize, or spots on the History channel or Discovery for one or two of their pretty specials (all equates to money in one form or another).  So, it is slightly different than file sharing something that was intended for purchase and something that was not.</blockquote>

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