At 12:02 pm +0100 15/4/99, Aley Keprt wrote: [Aley - please attribute the messages!! Andrew Collier wrote:]
>> Nothing in that quote says it is illegal to deprotect software that you >> have bought. > >Why not? Where is written than you can deprotect the software you have >bought? I didn't say it was - just that the source Chris quoted didn't say what he said it said. However, I know you are allowed to make modifications[1]. Deprotection then, is probably just another generic modification - unless it is specifically mentioned somewhere else, but I haven't seen that. >Some authors sell two different versions (tape & disk) of ZXS programs. And >the tape versions are protected, so if anyone buy a disk drive, he must buy >a new version (tape to disk upgrade) of the software. I think he cannot >simply make and use software which will depretect the tape and copy it to >the disk. Well I think you're wrong, otherwise (for example) the Multiface would be completely illegal. In fact, they were allowed to keep selling it[1] provided they emphasised that it was not to be used for piracy. >> It's fuzzy, but it probably isn't illegal to deprotect software even which >> you haven't bought, although downloading it in the first place probably >was >> illegal. > >It is illegal to do anything with the software you don't own! On exactly what basis do you say that? I don't know of legislation for this case.[1] Given that it is illegal to have acquired a copy of the software, what you do with it afterwards is probably less important[1]. Though, you might perhaps be charged with Handling Stolen Goods. >> >So if a disk has not standard form of information , and anyone but the >> >copyright owner creates a program to read this they have broken copyright >> >law? >> >> No, it is not illegal to create the program. It is only illegal to >> distribute it. > >I think it IS illegal. And I KNOW that it is not.[1] >Again, you cannot make the copies of any software. No, that is just wrong.[1] >That's the problem of old software on tapes. How can it alive, when we >cannot make the backups? Pardon? >p.s. Copyright laws can be a bit different in some countries (e.g. Cuba, >China, Polland) Oh yes, I am quite well aware of that thankyou. That's exactly why I've been saying *all through this thread* that my comments refer to the UK only and won't be valid in other countries with different laws. Andrew [1] In the UK. -- | Andrew Collier | email [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Talk sense to a | Part 2 NatSci | http://carou.sel.cam.ac.uk/ | fool and he +----------------+-----------------------------+ calls you foolish | Selwyn College Student Computer Support Team | -- Euripides
