is it okay to own an illegal copy of xp if you also bought it....

[baisezmoi]

my friend has a lowly p3 computer..and is running an illegal copy of winXP(the cracked one) but he also bought a legit XP PRo. the only reason he didn't install the legit xp pro is because he didn't want the hassles of re-activation when he installs the legix XP Pro on his new computer.

so my question is, is it okay to run an illegal version so as long as you also have the retail version?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Morally or legally? Legal wise, probably not. Read the EULA. As far as the moral side of things, its up to him to figure it out.

 

[TimberWolf]

Technically - an illegal copy is still an illegal copy, no matter how many legitimate versions you own.

Activation only takes a couple of minutes, so the "don't want the hassle" argument is pretty lame, IMO.

And with all the rumors I've encountered over virii (that disable firewalls, or authorize 'Net access) and embedded Trojans in many cracked versions - It makes absolutely no sense to me to continue using one.

 

[vash]

Here's an interesting moral dilemma. Run the pirated OS, even though you own the real mccoy. I say run it and keep the real one around. If someone starts to complain about it, show you own the real thing.

Yes, there is harm is pirating software.
Yes, there is harm in not running the legit versions of software.

Wouldn't it be a weird place if people just gave out pirated versions of the OS and expected you to run those versions and still buy the legit? What could anyone do about it? You were given the OS, you didn't d/l it, you didn't pay for an illegal copy, you were simply handed it.

I bet there are laws to curtail that too.

vash

 

[n0cmonkey]

The way I understand most of these archaic licensing deals with Windows is that as long as you own the certificate of authority. But, circumventing the activiation is a felony according to the DMCA. Also, there may be something in the End User License Agreement that forbids the circumvention (if the federal laws werent enough). As far as morality is concerned, that is really up to you. Do you think its "ok" to do? If so do it. You arent really "hurting" anyone. You paid your money, you have the proof, everyone got paid....

 

[PerfectFit]

I don't buy your friend's story...

 

[rc5]

Everything seems a felon nowadays.

 

[Om]

It's illegal.
Can you do it? Yes.
Should you do it? His choice.

Strange, I've seen this same question a few different times on a few other places around the net. Must be weighing heavy on the minds of many.

 

[Grunt03]

I would have to say that "YES it is illegal.

 

[Mitzi]

I don't think it would be illegal if he installed using a different (legit) XP CD - at the end of the day he has paid for a license to use XP, it doesn't matter which source disc he used to install his XP from.

The only thorn I can see is the fact that he is using the cracked version which bypasses activation - I guess there must be something in the EULA which prohibits that (even though he was not the one who reverse engineered the software).

 

[neuralfx]

after attending this microsoft conference thing today .. (boredom, we have no other shows here, heh) .. yes its illegal .. its an unlicensed copy .. ya the licensing stuff is complicated, the dude at the conference said they actaully have people who's SOLE job is figuring out licensing .. heh so much hassle if you ask me ..
-neural

 

[Mitzi]

the dude at the conference said they actaully have people who's SOLE job is figuring out licensing

Whoo, some people have interesting jobs (not!).

 

[Kilrsat]

Your friend is circumventing a content control mechanism.

Thus, as stated earlier, the DMCA says he is commiting a felony. Whether he owns a legit version or not does not enter into play.

If you really want I can look up the section/subsection that it is a violation of, but I'm off for work right now.

 

[Sunner]

I get XP through MSDN, but I still downloaded the corp version(not Devils own, but a real corp version), simply cause thats easier.

The DMCA I couldn't care less about, I dont live in the US.

But I suppose it might be against the EULA as well, but I really dont care about that either, I have the right to use the MSDN version, but I have the corp version handy too, guess which one Im gonna use?

IMO its fine in every way except the lawyer way.

 

[thornc]

<< The DMCA I couldn't care less about, I dont live in the US. >>



That's two of us.... thank god in Europe software patents aren't enforssable!!

edit: spelling...

 

[n0cmonkey]

<<

<< The DMCA I couldn't care less about, I dont live in the US. >>

That's two of us.... thank god in Europe software patents aren't enforcable!! >>



And you never plan on visitting the US? Dmitri Skylarov was arrested for work he did in Russia, while visitting the US. Alan Cox has decided to withhold security information about Linux because he wants to be able to freely visit the US without worrying about fighting our battles for us.

 

[thornc]

<< ...because he wants to be able to freely visit the US without worrying about fighting our battles for us. >>



I'm not planning in visiting the US. But the hint is a good one, you should start fighting some battles for your rights!!

 

[n0cmonkey]

<<

<< ...because he wants to be able to freely visit the US without worrying about fighting our battles for us. >>

I'm not planning in visiting the US. But the hint is a good one, you should start fighting some battles for your rights!! >>



Money = power
Corporations = money
Corporations love DMCA
Corporations + money = DMCA
General citizenry + DMCA = bend over because we cant do a damn thing about it.

 

[thornc]

money comes from sales of products, no sales of products no money!!

and you have the best weapon available free, it's call television news!

And last time I checked, some private citizens are starting to use those rules on their own behalf. Read something about articles published on paper that the authors managed to forbid publishment digitally (on a website or cd!!). These laws have a way of
working both ways!!

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< money comes from sales of products, no sales of products no money!!and you have the best weapon available free, it's call television news!And last time I checked, some private citizens are starting to use those rules on their own behalf. Read something about articles published on paper that the authors managed to forbid publishment digitally (on a website or cd!!). These laws have a way ofworking both ways!! >>



Im personally thinking of using the idea where I write a *NASTY* virus and then attack anti-virus companies in court for violation of the DMCA. They would have to reverse engineer my virus after all

 

[thornc]

<< Im personally thinking of using the idea where I write a *NASTY* virus and then attack anti-virus companies in court for violation of the DMCA. They would have to reverse engineer my virus after all >>



ROFL.... good idea... break a law to get money from another law!!!

 

[Sunner]

<< And you never plan on visitting the US? >>


Well no plans at present, Im not much of a traveller, but Im still young

Anyways, I dont think the first thing I'd mention in the customs is "Hey you know, back in Sweden I used to break the DMCA", and even if I did, I have a feeling they'd just laugh at me

 

[spamsk8r]

www.anti-dmca.org

 

[aka1nas]

Im using the corporate version on both my comps even though I have gotten 2 free copies of XP pro from various MS retail trainings. I don't think It is morally wrong as long as you have a legal copy for each computer. I absolutely refuse to bow down to MSs activation policy.

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< I absolutely refuse to bow down to MSs activation policy. >>



If you really felt strongly against it you would stop using the offending products (ie Windows XP).