Alex, I think the reason alot of software packages cost so much is because software companies feel like they have to charge more than they normally would because so many people steal the software. They have to make up for through the people that buy it legitimately, for the people who steal it. It's unfortunate that the people who get it for free, make in difficult to afford, if not completely unattainable for most people who wish to purchase it legitimately, however you bring up a very good point. I think that there probably are a good number of people out there who would legitimately buy software IF they could afford it, but when they can't they will steal it. It's just a viscious cycle that can't be stopped. The software companies can't lower prices because of piracy, and the pirates will never stop stealing software so the prices can come down. It will never end.