[zozbot234]

This is broadly correct of course. Modern IPR's have been explicitly pushed since the 1990s or so as a neo-colonialist racket; force dirt-poor people in other parts of the world to pay for the West's tech and content, and rake in the billions. Needless to say it doesn't work like that and can never work like that.

[2Gkashmiri]

yes, and as i said, the pricing is always made with american rates in mind, sure $100 looks good for a software/ music cd or a movie, whatever but poor people from poor countries cannot afford it in the first place. ebooks are especially stupid in this regard. we are told "this book costs $20 to write, edit, print, sell, transport, wastage and all that" but when it comes to ebooks, prices are equal or more so what happened? i was told back when that a textbook author gets no more than 5% of the sticker price royalty. rest is in transportation and seller margins and stuff. i've always said "here, 5% of $20 is $1. how about the author gets $2 or 3, that is the extent of my "moral obligation" and everyone is happy but no. "