Business Quote by Bill Gates
“About three million computers get sold every year in China, but people don't pay for the software. Someday they will, though. As long as they are going to steal it, we want them to steal ours. They'll get sort of addicted, and then we'll somehow figure out how to collect sometime in the next decade.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Bill Gates on software piracy, 2000s
He predicts that widespread software piracy will eventually turn into a market for paid software, using addiction as leverage.
In simple terms: Piracy may become a stepping stone to legitimate sales.
Key Takeaway
Leverage piracy to convert users to paying customers.
Themes
technology
business
ethics
monetization
Mood
analytical
strategic
Type
business
technology
When to use this quote
- software distribution
- market strategy
- consumer education
Key Concepts
economics
consumer behavior
digital rights management
Questions to Reflect On
- Can addiction truly drive legal purchases?
- What ethical concerns arise from exploiting piracy?
A Different Perspective
Assumes users will willingly switch to paid versions.
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