@ICOT I have seen it in print in his name all though this was years ago so it will be difficult to find and I have heard about it from people who heard it from him. I can try to send someone to ask him about it. From what I heard his reasoning was because it is not sold on the market any more it is not assur. This would also make sense if its maasig gvul. I am not going to claim that I fully understand it and it might not extend to microsoft products as microsoft sells their older products (again maasig gvul is only by a Jew so it may not apply there either). I believe the original question was about davka writer. My second (good) proof was from the fact then when asked the question about the i wouldnt have bought it svara he didnt just say its gneiva either way – he just said that the logic doesnt follow.
The reason youve never heard anyone talking about my nochri distinction is because no posek in their right mind would ever want to be quoted on such a thing.
Also by the way the government doesnt prosecute pirates any more they only prosecute uploaders – you could probably download a program in front of a cop and they wouldnt do anything to you. Which is why similarly to HUD dina dmalchusa would not apply according to many poskim. Dina Dmalchusa is drabanan see the gemora in bava kama about boreich es hameches for more details.
I happen to partial to google docs because it allows a lot collaboration but don’t try putting in too many formulas into a spreadsheet or too many lines because it will go haywire.