Pirated software?

[doodoo]

Exactly what's the worst thing a software development company/team could do if a web host is found to use pirated versions of their software?

It's not that I'm using em' right now, but just wondering..

[U-96]

commercial piracy?
repayment of all profits gained from use of the software
big fine
jail
etc

of course this all depends on the circumstances - e.g. if the host was unknowingly sold a pirated copy, and so on...

In the UK, the first port of call would be something like the Federation Against Software Theft, I assume there must an equivalent in your own country...

It depends on the desire of the company to prosecute - just an email from the developer letting the offender know that they know can be enough...


U-96


[This message has been edited by U-96 (edited 03-29-2000).]

[daveleau]

I have heard that in the US that if you have 5 pirated softwares on your system or in your business, i is considered a felony. Wow.
Dave

[oblivion]

If you are using lets say microsoft office 2000 on a computer without having bought an extra license for it..........I do believe you could get fined about 10,000$.....that is to say you had 4 licenses to use it,but put it on a 5th computer.......

[UncaDanno]

Take a look at the Software & Information Industry Association at http://www.siia.net.

They are pretty much the watchdog for piracy these days.

[SysOpt]

I heard that the fine for unlicensed software is closer to $90,000 per instance. And that's just if you have software on your PC and are unable to produce the license for it. I would imagine that distributing unlicensed software would carry a stiffer offense. That's why I don't understand why people, especially young people, do it and think they can get away with it.

Is it worth throwing away your life - ending up with several hundred thousand dollars in fines and several years in jail with a felony record, just to be a cool Warez d00d and have a web site with downloadable full version pirated software? Or, conversely, to save a few bucks and download all of your PC's software from those sites? It isn't worth it to me. All it takes is one phone call from any concerned citizen to the proper party upon discovering such material to start the prosecution ball rolling - those are some risky odds. And being under 18 isn't a defense - the govt is cracking down on young computer piracy and hacking offenders.

Anyway, that's my rant. No one likes shelling out hard earned dough for anything, but that's how our world works. Someone creates a product or service in their valuable time and with their knowledge, and we want it, we pay for it. Just as they pay us for our skills and services. If you want a free lunch, you have to be willing to give someone one too (i.e.- work for free) - not too many people are willing to do that.


[This message has been edited by SysOpt (edited 03-29-2000).]

[Toadman]

Use the Force, Nuke, and resist the easy path to the Dark Side.... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[hd581]

I don't mean to undermine your warning, Scott, but I can easily see it from the pirates point of view.

A lot of students have nothing but debts so it's not an issue of saving money; they can't buy the software period. And if they want it, d/l it is the only way.

After leaving college, when students find they have an income, it becomes a heck of a lot easier (and safer) to just do the right thing.

It is illegal no matter what. But those with money find it easier to follow the law. And those without, find it easier to take risks.

[SysOpt]

Yeah, I know it's easier for businesses and/or people with funds to stay legal, but everyone should strive to. It's just a bad habit to get into, either downloading it or making it available to others.

[hd581]

Kinda brings up an issue, ytay. What if someone in a different country pirates Microsoft software by the truckload, and that country condones it. I wonder how much muscle Microsoft has overseas. Can they be extradited?

[ytay]

i agree microsoft has big problems overseas, and i am not saying pirated software is okay, but my point was if you have pirated software on your computer for personal use, i wouldn't worry about the cops busting down your door........of course legit is the only way to go http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[seti]

I imagen that the risk of haveing your internet access cut off for violateing your ISP's acceptable use policy is greater than fines and jail time.

[bdog]

I agree that pirating is a very serious problem. Most people don't even think twice about doing it. One of these days the govmt is going to crack drown and fry some people for using pirated software in their own homes. I agree that software is way too expensive. This is mainly due to pirating. I don't have the statistics, but I'd be willing to bet that for every legal copy that is bought, there is an illegal copy out there. If everyone used legal software then the prices could be cut in half and the software companies would make the same amount.

I also think that pirating has become so prolific because people don't see that it is causing any harm. For example, I know a lot of college students that pirate 99% of the software they have. If they didn't pirate it, they just wouldn't have it all because of lack of money. I know this is not an excuse, but if you think about it the company is not losing anything, because these people wouldn't have bought the software in the first place.

Some companies realize this and try to work out deals with Universities to get cheap software for students. For example Microsoft is dealing with our university to allow anyone on campus to use there softare if the Univerity pays them $5-$10 a student. They see it as a win -win situation as we get to use the software and will become accustomed to it and be more likely to use it once we graduate and have money to spend on it.

[Warthog]

Say you have bought Office 2000 SBE for your home computer. Lets also say that you have an additional computer and want both to have Office 2000 on it...what do you do?

Warthog

[SysOpt]

Warthog: legally, you're supposed to have two licenses.

[Warthog]

How can you get another license and how much does it cost?

Warthog

[BBA]

Thats why it's nice to recieve select software from MS...

Sure cuts the cost. It's worth it to get MCSE just for that reason.

[welsh wizard]

re extra licenses, try going to MS directly, or a direct access member. they should able to help or get extra licences for you. Mntsnow is an OEM so would be able to get them for you locally if you asked or at least put you onto a local outlet with them.
WW

[brandon184]

I'm am piracy free.. Never have used pirated software, and don't plan to.

Its as simple as that. You either do that, or you don't.

I don't.

[Mntsnow]

Hey Thanks for the business plug WW http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Mntsnow

[welsh wizard]

Your welcome Mike, after all you are the only OEM MS registered in the States that I know and trust, and as supplying licenses from here to US is a breach of OEM registration, better you have the legal biz. as I don't intend to risk my OEM status over a license, using Pirated in our line of Biz, or for that matter software that may be legal in one country, but by being imported by a third party ( which makes it illegal even if you have the License ) is just not worth the risk,
WW

[Mntsnow]

YepYep. Not worth losing it all!

Mntsnow

[daveleau]

Warthog and Sysopt-
I thought the law or EULA says that you can have it on as many computers as you like as long as it is only used by the buyer and is only in use on one computer at a time. Is that correct?
Dave

[This message has been edited by daveleau (edited 03-31-2000).]

[SysOpt]

Yeah that's probably true - only in use on one system at a time, but I'm not positive.

[Wacky-Ed in Atlanta]

I was also under daveleau's impression

[oblivion]

Well for the bussiness owner it is a large fine....but I have neverheard of a home user getting hit with a fine.........if I was a bussiness all my software would be legit of course.

[ytay]

food for thought .......there is no known case, in canada anyway, of anyone ever have been arrested for using pirated software, but if your dumb and want to sell it that is a different issue

[Bleep]

It is a strange problem for software makers.
In the town I live in one of the computer shops was upgrading machines in a lot of small businesses that only owned one machine and really knew nothing about software except how to use it. This was his Y2K fix. This fellow put win 98 on every machine he came in contact with one program CD so every one he came in contact with now has pirated software on there machine. Who is to blame and who is responsible for this use of pirated software? I also believe that he has done this in the past and will continue to do it in the future. If reported the person that installed the software has no liability only the user has responsibility. Bad law makes bad punishment.
Bleep

[barry glisson]

a thief is a thief no matter if its a stick of gum from the corner store, software,some old ladies purse or a mercedes benz.ther is NO excuse for thievery. chop off their hands! barry

[doodoo]

Thanks guys!
WOW! I never expected so many postups for this thread! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
Although I expect this topic to be hot that is..

I can't believe that Scott, our old buddy @ voodoo2.com, would reply too!


[This message has been edited by doodoo (edited 03-30-2000).]

[This message has been edited by doodoo (edited 03-30-2000).]

[Mntsnow]

Bleep,

FYI BOTH the person that INSTALLED the software AND the end user can be held legally responsable. If the end user can prove that they received the "hardloaded" OS from this person the majority of the legal liablity will be born by the OS/Software Installer.

Mntsnow

[Bleep]

Mntsnow:
Please tell me where you acquired this information. I need a scource.
Bleep

[This message has been edited by Bleep (edited 03-30-2000).]

[welsh wizard]

Try going to MS site and search piracy, even if you arn't registered as a direct access or OEM with them, I belive they have quite an area available for search regarding pirated software and license info,
WW

[bdog]

Here is something I thought it was kind of funny. The Microsoft representatives came to our school to try to sell us the "University License" plan where the school pays a set amount per student/faculty member and in return we get to use any of MS's software. Our school has about 25,000 students. Someone asked, "Are we going to get 25,000 CD's or what?" The MS guy replied, "No, we will give you one copy of each program. We feel that you already know how to distribute them."

[welsh wizard]

Rats I forgot.
EULA
your are only licensed for one system per EULA,
you need to purchase additional licenses if on more than one system regardless of whether it's on or off.
MS did a big premo lately about getting customers with more than one system having the same software without the additional licenses.( this premo was aimed at Direct Access and OEM members to keep customers LEGAL)
might pay to do some editing.
WW

[This message has been edited by welsh wizard (edited 03-30-2000).]

[welsh wizard]

I was just rechecking some things regarding MS licences,
when you upgrade say from 95 to 98 via an upgrade cd to remain legal you must retain the 95 CD and the license, if you sell it, then your system becomes illegal.
Just an afterthought.
WW

[This message has been edited by welsh wizard (edited 03-30-2000).]

[Mntsnow]

Bleep, Just as WW mentioned in his postings just head on over to Microsoft.com and do a simple search on EULA or Piracy or on License and you will get a ton of info.

Just as a side note Yesterday one of the local computer shops in my area was given notice of impending lawsuit by Microsoft for improper accounting of and for selling OEM software withOUT the required hardware. a few months ago in the city that I work in (provo utah) which btw is a "college" town (BYU and UVSU) had two places shutdown (ended up liquadating and declairing bankruptcy) after being busted by Microsoft and Corel for software fraud.

Believe me it's just not worth it.

Mntsnow

[barry glisson]

i bought a shrink wrapped w98se with compaq manual at a flea market for 1.00 is it legal? did i get screwed lol its marked oem barry

[Mntsnow]

Barry, "legally speaking" according to the Microsoft OEM software licensing is as such:

OEM software - OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer

When computer manufacturers (OEMs) sell computers they often pre-install or bundle software with the computer.
The purchaser often gets with the purchase the original software CD-rom discs or floppy discs in a jewel case or plain box. Such software almost always is licensed
for use only on the machine on which it is installed and purchased by the user. In such cases, you generally cannot sell the software to someone else unless you are also selling them the machine it came on. Anyone selling OEM software without the machine or hardware is potentially infringing upon the software company's copyright. Be wary of offers to buy software in jewel cases only with no other original packaging or Manuals.

Sorry to be the bearer of sad news http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

Mntsnow

[barry glisson]

oh well a whole dollar down the drain.barry