Interesting points here
I must admit that I find it infuriating that software vendors will not sell older copies of product. In my case it is Photoshop CS. I learnt how to use it on a legit work copy and it does all that I needed. I wasn't interested in the new features of later versions or the inflated prices. So I'm learning how to use Gimp (Free open source). Which means at the end of the day, Adobe don't get a sale do they? Stupid greedy people.
Ebay is and always has been awash with copies of software. I suppose when something is desirable and expensive, the market will fill that need regardless of legitimacy. If on the other hand Adobe sold old software at knockdown prices, who would buy knock off stuff? But I suppose that people would also not pay through the nose for the latest "useful" features of the latest product. It looks like Adobe distort their market to suit themselves. Lets give the customer new stuff that we think they want at a price that suits us? You argue that if people had old cheap software they might legitimately upgrade to the newer ones? or not as the upgrade is expensive too.
The guys gets three years in the slammer for Fraud/Piracy or whatever you Americans call it. Apart from Madoff who got 150 years, have many of the other Bankers in the US responsible for the "Crunch" have had prison sentences or did they just get wheelbarrows full of cash? One law for some, another for others? Mind you hang onto the wheelbarrows, they'll soon be worth more than the cash!
Anyone know of any other good equivalents to Photoshop for the Mac. The Gimp is OK, but I'm interested to know of others too.