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Is this legal - Software License question

LostHiWay

Golden Member
Apr 22, 2001
1,544
0
76
My hard drive is about to die (clicking and grinding) so I got a new Hard Drive. I was able to copy the drive to the new drive but now I can't run my main billing program for my business because I got a new drive. (it asks for a new registration number) Here's a copy of the license:

SOFTWARE LICENSE

Read Carefully Before Installing This Software

This software is licensed for SINGLE COMPUTER and HARDDISK installation ONLY for a period of four years from date of initial installation. Should you ever upgrade your hardware, operating system (Windows, DOS) or need to reformat your hard drive, you should FIRST contact Customer Service so they can inform you as to whether or not the intended change will invalidate your registration number. Reformatting or repartitioning your harddisk WILL invalidate your registration number!

Dilloware, Inc. warrants the enclosed program diskette(s) to be free of defects for 90 days from purchase date. If you suspect your diskette(s) is damaged, call customer service for assistance. DO NOT return your diskette(s) without first contacting customer service and obtaining a return authorization number (RMA).

Dilloware, Inc. has a NO RETURN POLICY and will not accept returned software. By installing the enclosed software, you are agreeing to be bound by the following terms of this license agreement:

The enclosed software is copyrighted and owned by the program author, licensed to Dilloware, Inc., for marketing, and is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions. Therefore, you must treat the enclosed software like any other copyrighted material, except you may install the software to a single computer and harddisk. Dilloware hereby agrees to grant the purchaser of the enclosed software a nonexclusive license to use these programs, subject to the following terms and restrictions, for a period of four (4) years from the date of initial installation. The software is to be used by and for a single company only. Multi company use is expressly prohibited. You may not rent, copy or distribute, by any means, electronic, photocopy, record or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Dilloware. You are NOT allowed to transfer the license to another company or individual. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, modify or otherwise alter or dissemble the enclosed software. This software may only be installed on one computer and harddisk, not one computer and harddisk at a time, but one computer and harddisk only. You may incurr additional expenses for support, forms, updates, etc.

The enclosed software is provided on an AS IS basis. Dilloware warrants the enclosed diskette(s) that the software is on, to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of 90 days from date of license. In the event the enclosed diskette(s) are, or become, defective within the 90 day period, call customer service for assistance. This is your sole remedy for defective diskette(s). In the event your diskette(s) need to be replaced, your warranty time will not be extended. If you have licensed an update or if your software has been updated, any transfer must include the most recent update AND all earlier versions.

Dilloware and the program author disclaim all other warranties, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to the software and the accompanying written materials. This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights which may vary from state to state. In no event shall Dilloware or the program author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use or inability to use this product, even if Dilloware or the program author have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.

Prices, policies, features, etc. are all subject to change without notice. For current information, please contact Customer Service.


Is this legal?? They want $169.95 for a new license, but I really don't think I should have to rebuy the program.
 

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
Not sure of the legality... Pretty damn crappy for the company to do that kind of thing though, IMO
 

royaldank

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2001
5,440
0
0
Did you image the drive over? And it's asking for a registration number?

I'd call them and b!tch and complain until I got a new on for free. Tell them you bought the program and have recommended it to others. If they still want to charge you, tell them you are going to speak with competators (have some names on you to spout off) and will actively campaign against said company. Tell them that anytime someone asks about their software, I will be sure to point out how crappy your software is and how your licensing fees are a freaking joke.

If you can strech the truth on your job title or who you interact with, that never hurts. Also, better language than I just used would probably yeild better results.

 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
If you ghost your old drive, then put the image on your new one, will it ask for a new registration #?
 

911paramedic

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2002
9,448
1
76
I would never do business with that company again. It says to call in advance if you plan to change hard drives or your reg # will become invalid. Hmmm. I wish I could tell if my hard drive was going to fail all of a sudden.

This company has the brains of a bag of hammers. This type of customer service should seal their fate as a company, buh-bye.
 

mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
6,545
1
0
If you have the original diskettes, why not just reinstall it on the new drive?


<< This software may only be installed on one computer and harddisk, not one computer and harddisk at a time, but one computer and harddisk only. >>


Yea, whatever.
rolleye.gif
 

brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
0
76
Pirate it.. fvck the license if it's that terribly inconvenient. They'd have a hell of a time trying to sue you when you bought and paid for their program.
 

LostHiWay

Golden Member
Apr 22, 2001
1,544
0
76
I used ghost to copy the drive. I think it somehow generates a code based upon the HD model or serial number then asks for a new registration code if it's different. This really sucks I just called them and told them that if they didn't give me a new number I would switch to a new billing program. They told me to have fun transferring them all over!! What a bunch of A@@holes!!

 

LostHiWay

Golden Member
Apr 22, 2001
1,544
0
76


<< Pirate it.. fvck the license if it's that terribly inconvenient. They'd have a hell of a time trying to sue you when you bought and paid for their program. >>



I'm against software piracy but I already tried. This company is so small that I couldn't find anything. If you guys want to try:

Dilloware: The Billing Clerk version 4.0
 

helpme

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2000
3,090
0
0
There are plenty of companys that generate a key based on your hard disk serial number, the best thing to do would be just to call them and explain the situation.
 

LostHiWay

Golden Member
Apr 22, 2001
1,544
0
76


<< There are plenty of companys that generate a key based on your hard disk serial number, the best thing to do would be just to call them and explain the situation. >>



I tried explaining. They told me to either pay or switch to a new program (which would cost a couple thousand and hundreds of hours transferring records)

I paid...but they can go Fvck themselves
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
0


<< I tried explaining. They told me to either pay or switch to a new program (which would cost a couple thousand and hundreds of hours transferring records)

I paid...but they can go Fvck themselves
>>


You didn't whine enough :)
But I can tell you what billing software my company will never use now.
 

helpme

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2000
3,090
0
0


<< I tried explaining. They told me to either pay or switch to a new program (which would cost a couple thousand and hundreds of hours transferring records)

I paid...but they can go Fvck themselves
>>



Drat. Tell them you'll unleash the anandtech effect, but used to spread how bad their company is.
 

RSMemphis

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2001
1,521
0
0
To address the original legality question:

They can put terms like this in there. It is legal once you install and use their program. Is it fair? Hardly so.

They do, however, need to accept uninstalled software initially after buying it, so once again - do read the license agreement beforehand. If you don't like it, return it. A software product before usage is relatively easy to return.

Their license is shi**y. One more company I am never gonna do business with.
^^^^ this is a forbidden word? Well, $%%^$&# that... :)
 

Pepsei

Lifer
Dec 14, 2001
12,895
1
0
how big is the exe?

put the file up somewhere... i'm sure... there are some 'crackers' here that can do it.
 

geekender

Platinum Member
Apr 26, 2001
2,414
0
0
Look in the registry at the entries for that program and see if there is a registration code entered there that you can enter to activate it on your new system.
 

mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
6,545
1
0
"Then the program completely crashed. Followed by a few days later my entire computer.

Needless to say I was in a bad position having my entire business go up in an electronic cloud of smoke. I then formatted my hard drive, reinstalled my operating system, and installed the Dilloware software. I paid $149.95 for the additional computer license. I was not happy, but things like this happen. This time the program gave me the same error as before immediately after I entered the new registration number. I asked if I could speak to a support technition and was told I would have to again pay $149.95 to speak with a technition for up to 60 minutes in the next year. Now I was really unhappy."

---

"We've spent hundreds of dollars for upgrades, tech support, registration #'s (we had to buy a new registration # just because I reformatted my hard drive! I even have the original floppies and purchase receipts!)"

---

Sounds like this is a repeating problem. I would never put all of my business data in a proprietary system where you are at the mercy of a sole, small software company. You are better off creating a simple MS Access database...at least Access has wide support and multiple export/upgrade paths.
 

LostHiWay

Golden Member
Apr 22, 2001
1,544
0
76


<<
Sounds like this is a repeating problem. I would never put all of my business data in a proprietary system where you are at the mercy of a sole, small software company. You are better off creating a simple MS Access database...at least Access has wide support and multiple export/upgrade paths.
>>



I agree....I just have to learn how to use access :(

 

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
0
Pretty crappy for a program. Pretty sorry of an excuse for a company to make money.
 

rahvin

Elite Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,475
1
0
May I suggest you investigate the option of purchasing the dillowaresucks.com (.net or .org) domain and proceed to document yours and everyone elses problems with this company. After paying that money on the principle alone I would devote myself to getting the word out about this HORRIBLE company.

Alternate solution (not free)
 

QTPie

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2001
1,813
1
81
I think they use a key gen prog to generate the key based upon your HDD volume serial #. Can anyone come up with a key gen and sell it for $20? hehehe...
You can complaint them with BBB, I think. Better yet, a class action law suit!
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136


<< Lots of complaints about Dilloware >>



OMG, I would never, ever do business with a company like that. Those people are the worst.
If I were you, LostHiWay, I would pay the expense and go through the effort to switch programs just out of spite.