piracy issues

[bdog]

At my job I am in control of all the software for our department. Occasionaly students which are my classmates will ask me for copies of software. I will not give it to them but alot of them don't know how serious it is and think I am a jerk for not letting them use it. Does anyone have something short that I could print out and give to them that would convince them that they don't want to be pirating software and that I am not being unreasonable for not letting them use it? Maybe something like a news story about someone that got busted or a copy of what the pentalies they could face are. Most people that don't know alot about computers think it is an okay thing to do and that hey will not get caught.
Thanks.

[Dallasmcse]

If M$ thinks you are running illegal they can have he law come in shut you down while they inventory every pc you got the fines range in the 10's of thousands per day of non-complience.( lose your mcse and goto jail sound like fun??)

[hd581]

bdog, if they're immature about it, they won't listen to reason. "It's illegal" "you could get caught" "it's wrong" certainly have no meaning to them. Tell them "You may not worry about getting caught but I do, and you're asking me to run a risk just for you. I don't ask you guys to go into a store and lift stuff for me. $#@^& off! I don't owe you jack." Sorry best I can come up with. I'm trying to think about what would work on me when I was like that.

[Gene C.]

**********News Release**********
Lubbock, Texas

A software tech was charged with the following:

1. giving copies of software to students.

and in acordance with

The "Giving software copies to students" Act was signed into law by President Clinton in December 1997, making it illegal to reproduce or distribute copyrighted works, such as software programs and musical recordings, even if the defendant acts without a commercial purpose or for private financial gain. If the defendant reproduces or distributes 10 or more copyrighted works that have a total value of more than $2,500, he or she can be charged with a felony, and faces a sentence of up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. A defendant who reproduces or distributes one or more copies of copyrighted works with a value of more than $1,000 can be charged with a misdemeanor, and face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

he will be missed by one and all. so, if you want to send him to jail. keep asking for software. and he will go for cutting your throat with a cd-rom disk.

will update as more news comes to the surface

[bdog]

Thanks for the replies. DallasMSCE, I know the consequences more or less. At least enough to know not to do it. I just tired of explaining it to all these folks who ask me to do it. I like your little story Gene. Does anyone know specifically the penalty would be for someone who just uses one copy of pirated software? I want to get something that is well worded and accurate so that I can post it in our computer lab, and hand it to people that ask. I don't want to make up some BS and put it on there and then have someone call me on it.

[barry glisson]

Stealing is exactly the same no matter if it is a piece of gum,mercedes,or software do it and you are a thief plane and simple.barry

[welsh wizard]

PIRACY IS ILLEGAL.
I AM NOT A PIRATE
AND NO OFTEN OFFENDS,
SO DON'T ASK

Put it on a card by your desk
and see if that helps.

WW