Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't this be blocked by device authorization limitations (5 per account)?
For instance, I have a PC, a Macbook Air, iPad, and iPhone; those take up four of the five authorizations. I could theoretically then spend this last one on the friend, sure -- but I'm fairly confident that devices can only be linked with one account at a time.
Furthermore, I'd argue that this issue would only be relevant with relatively expensive Apps. Frankly, I pirate music because most of the stuff I'm looking for is either otherwise unavailable or exorbitantly expensive -- conversely, the amount of effort it takes to pirate a .99c app isn't work the headache and coordination.
I'd argue that this has been Steam's biggest success, as well -- reducing piracy because it's comparatively too much effort.
For personal use, you can install apps on all Macs you own or control. There is no limitation in the number of Macs. Presumably installing an app for a friend could also be a legal use – since you control that Mac as demonstrated by logging in.
Even when there was a number limit, it never crossed the PC–iPod barrier. When music still had DRM you could play it on five PCs/Macs and an unlimited number of iPods.
For instance, I have a PC, a Macbook Air, iPad, and iPhone; those take up four of the five authorizations. I could theoretically then spend this last one on the friend, sure -- but I'm fairly confident that devices can only be linked with one account at a time.
Furthermore, I'd argue that this issue would only be relevant with relatively expensive Apps. Frankly, I pirate music because most of the stuff I'm looking for is either otherwise unavailable or exorbitantly expensive -- conversely, the amount of effort it takes to pirate a .99c app isn't work the headache and coordination.
I'd argue that this has been Steam's biggest success, as well -- reducing piracy because it's comparatively too much effort.