Re: copyright laws

Richard,

How's the software gonna know how many machines I installed it on?
Yeah ok, the setup program might know how many times you installed it
if you didn't buy a cd. But that cd ain't gonna know.
A piece of software may send installation notice to an owner's site,
along
with your motherboard's or processor's serial number. Each CD may have
unique number.

It could. But not if your off line.
Then, I can set up my firewall to keep the software from doing just
that without my permission.

A lot of big software companies disable their software until you "activate" it through the web. That activation sends a thumbprint of your computer to the company so they can tell if you install it on more than one computer.

Microsoft tried to limit the total number of machines you can activate a product on (activate, deactivate, move to another machine, reactivate, wash, rinse, repeat), but I think that isn't true anymore. I think it's certainly illegal.

Besides, there are inspectors which check on which computers your
software was installed. They mostly inspect commercial companies.

"You wanna do what? Get the *** off my property before I have the
cops bust your ass for trespassing. I don't give a fucking rats ass if
you come back with a damn search warrant. When you do, I'll gladly
remove your piece of *** software from every damn one of my machines
and go with your competitor."

I don't believe any software company has the legal right to enter your
home or business for that purpose without at least your knowledge and
consent. They just can't come up to your door and insist they look.

The companies do actually do that. They will come to your door and inspect. But I don't think you have anything to worry about. These are Big Software Companies dealing with Big Other Companies who use Irreplaceable Software. So yea, they do have the leverege to inspect because no one else makes the software they use and/or it would cost millions upon millions of dollars to drop the software and go for a competitor.

Lighthope

Pearls of Wisdom - You're not drunk until you have to hold on to the grass to keep from falling off the Earth.

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