"A store with 3000 quality items will sell more, and take less expense to run, than a store with the same 3000 quality items and 122,000 other items that only sell a maximum of ten. The 3000 good ones are paying for the costs of displaying the other 122,000 thumbnails and promo images." This is shelf space in Retail sales. Sellthrough on shelf space is a critical component in measuring a retail store's success. There's an additional benefit -- it will help, once again, to decentralize the marketplace. "It seems to me that AMax, being original and innovative, will be a prime target for the rip-off brigade. In fact, we've reached the point now where any original work is seen as fair game for these clowns" The inherent problem is that Cr2's -- which are program settings files -- are not themselves covered by copyright. So Eula restrictions must be used. However, Eula's can only be utilized effectively against those directly bound by them (ie purchasers). In short, one cannot depend on a concept of community scruples to achieve compliance with an ethical code. That would be nice, but is no more likely than getting people to stop stealing because it is wrong. In the end, in both the larger business world and the much more cozy and comfortable business world we live in right now, creating something which is innovative is going to benefit the innovator only for a short time directly and monetarily (if they choose to do so) before becoming absorbed into the overall stable of techniques. That's what happens with art. Does it sting? yeah. A lot. Does it piss ya off? Oh, hell yeah. Can you do anything about it? Hire a lawyer. Should you? No. Accept it. Use it. Turn it to your advantage. Don't let people forget that you were the one that discerned that particular thing that spurred that innovation. Then move on to the next challenge and keep it up. "I think this is probably the best decision you could have made. Companies, just like individuals can make mistakes. There's no shame in it. Just make good the loss and move on. By learning from this project, I'm confident the next one will be far better." I concur, wholeheartedly, with this part. Petunias, anyone?

thou and I, my friend, can, in the most flunkey world, make, each of us, one non-flunkey, one hero, if we like: that will be two heroes to begin with. (Carlyle)