Stefan Meretz stefan.meretz@hbv.org writes:

The point is not whether those tricks base on artificial restraints or not. The point is how to deal with scarcity? Software is always scarce (especially good one).

No, software is never scarce, but the skills to create it and many of the associated products are, so naturally they have a price to their consumers. Again, I see no contradiction.

But what does your defense mean??? Do you support ESR's trial to extend a-logic into the field of free software? I am confused.

No, but I say that his options basically break down into either artificial restraints on Freedom (ie non-Free software) or selling associated items which are naturally scarce. Neither of these extend your a-logic into Free Software.

Maybe I'm mad, but I've never really seen a contradiction between Free Software and natural market economics. The problems with software seem to be largely caused by the artificial restraints and the monopolistic positions it requires. I'm always slightly amazed that these activities are enshrined in most laws.