Unaffordable Prices
The loss of profit to creative industries aside, another common argument justifying DCI is that of the creation of equal opportunities for those unable to afford such products. This situation is especially so in many developing countries around the world; with software for business and education, essential by developed world standards, in high demand. Unfortunately, such software is priced on the basis of developed world standards, hence making such software out of the reach of people in developing countries.
In the case of popular software commonly used by businesses to improve their productivity, such as Microsoft Office, prices are often out of the reach of small and medium-sized businesses in developing countries, hence making it difficult for businesses to afford such software.
Back to topAvailability of software
The availability of original software in developing countries is also a factor for consideration; a common problem faced by people and businesses in developing countries is that such original works are not commonly available. It is a vicious cycle that a lack of a sizable market for such products deters software companies from making available their products, which in turn fuels demand for illegal copies of software. Specially ordering such software from overseas, such as through courier services, would increase costs even more, deterring consumers in the developing world from doing so.
Back to topWhat benefits are there?
The benefits of accessibility to such software, for the purpose of education or increasing productivity, are considerably high; the educational benefits and increased productivity both help to level the playing field with companies in the developed world, allowing them to benefit from the same technology which has been essential to the development of economies in the developed world. This, coupled with the inability of consumers in the developing world to afford original copies of such software, could arguably be a justification for copyright infringement.
