Q&A: Encroaching on Another’s Trade
Encroaching on Another’s Trade
Question
Hello Rabbi,
There is a piece of software related to editing and typesetting texts that is currently sold at a fairly high price—between hundreds and thousands of shekels, depending on the configuration. I am in the process of developing a substitute for this software for my personal needs. The substitute is expected to include a substantial portion of the features of the original software, though not all of them (I do not need them at this stage).
For several reasons, I currently have no interest in selling the software, and I am considering distributing it for free for the public benefit. There is some chance that this will also help my professional reputation, but that is probably negligible since I work in a fairly distant field.
My question is whether this is permitted, or whether it would count as encroaching on another’s trade. There is a significant chance that sales of the existing products will decline.
Answer
There is great value in free competition, and I see no reason to forbid something like this. The common practice in the world is that there is free software that competes on a professional level.
Discussion on Answer
God willing, if and when it happens, I’ll write in the WhatsApp group.
Bless you.
I’d be happy if you would share it here (even if you decide to sell it at a low price) when the software is released. Thanks.