At the start of 2001 an industry leading publication 'Design Graphics', invited graphic designers from around the country to enter a design competition. The comp, initiated by the BSAA (Business Software Association of Australia), asked for an A4 poster addressing the issue of Software Piracy. Being cynical, at the very least the contest got its authors an accurate listing of Australia's practising design professionals. Coincidentally, graphic designers are believed to be the greatest perpetrators of Software Piracy. My point in case proven several weeks after the competition. I and others received a form requesting a list of all programs with supporting serial numbers resident on computers.   Who's there is exactly who you wouldn't want to be there. That is if you happen to be illegally burning software CD's. A scatched and worn spyhole through a dark, 70's style timber veneer door. It's all so cheap and nasty. There's a sense that this apartment could very well be a venue illegally duplicating software. The thumb ring denotes an alternative stereo-typical individual. Oooh creepy. This person could well be one who would see pirating software as a soft crime, if a crime at all. The blurred thumb movement gives a sense of agitation. The BSAA visitors through the spyhole are quite the intimidating professionals. Cold, expressionless and armed with a mandate to confront and prosecute. The woman is carrying a thick folder branded with the BSAA logo. She's glancing down as if to confirm the address, or perhaps studying the law as it stands in relation to the issue. The grey suite man behind her represents the silent, intimidating observer. The muscle of the law. The text below outlines criminal statistics and implies that the reader of this poster, although ignorant that CD's are being illegally burnt on their premises, they are still liable. And may be prosecuted. Responsibility and vigilance llies with us all. Consider that, it's the age of GMO's, the cloning of live stock and the heated debated surrounding human cloning ... and you have a predetermined psychological basis from which to discuss the illegal duplication of software. I enjoy taking topical issues where relevant and drawing parallels from them. Colours used are subdued and clinical. The use of a grey and creased drop sheet sets up a feel of a dirty, dusty, contaminated environment. The strength of this Ad is in its subtlty. The DNA strand to the right is a little more contrasted in appearance than the other. It's harsher, it appears aged. There's a sense that this assumed duplicate is inferior. A play on the whole visual can be found in the shadows. The copied DNA strand has a warning symbol as a default shadow. Whereas the DNA strand to the left appears natural. As though it's real. Soft in visual appeal and has a natural shadow. Typography plays an important role. The word 'Corruptible' is ugly, twisted and unappealing. The text below outlines criminal statistics and implies that supplying the market with inferior copies cheats all users. Recipients may ultimately buy a lessor product via a ligitimate purchase. Such inferior purchases receive no subsequent technical and product support. Then there's the threat that when discovered, all offenders will be prosecuted. Ignorance plays no defense. Responsibility and vigilance lies with us all.