Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!wuarchive!udel!mmdf From: jones@uv4.eglin.af.mil (Calvin Jones, III) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Piracy Message-ID: <21678@snow-white.udel.EDU> Date: 11 Jun 90 15:01:31 GMT Sender: mmdf@udel.EDU Lines: 92 "saify.lanewala" writes: [Lots of praise to Fred Fish deleted here. 'Though I *CERTAINLY* agree with all of it. FF is one thing that the Amy has going that NO other machine has!} First, let me open by saying that I run a legitimate BBS. I've never promoted piracy and never will! > I'll open myself up for flames and say that I feel that BBSes are much > more vulnerable to the distribution of pirated software and/or software > infringing on copyrights than other types software archive sources, such > as the Fred Fish collection, xanth, uunet etc. BBSs are really no more vulernable than most other methods of distribution. It's just that you see a lot more BBSs run by these "neeto /oods" with all their latest "warez". While I'm somewhat older (and, I hope wiser) I realize that I can't afford litigation concerning software piracy. I've got a wife, kid, and dog to support! It is a *REAL* problem. And I've been contacted by author's representatives twice. The first time, an individual uploaded the first brain file for Marauder II to the BBS. The file was not labeled as being written by DSI, and the only instructions were to place the file in the L: directory. The next morning at 10:30AM Rick Ross from DSI logged on the BBS and requested (very nicely) that I call him collect about the file. I removed the file and called him (on my dime) immediately. He was quite understanding about the whole thing. It seemed that someone logged on his BBS with a fictitious name and left a message that he should check out that file on my BBS. Seems someone may have been out to get me! The second case was due to an individual leaving many detailed messages concerning the changes implemented in Transformer 1.2. Somehow, Simile got wind of his discussions and wanted information on how he came to have the copy. I cooperated with them and provided the name, address and phone number of the individual (reputed to be the largest "collector" in the local area.) > Perhaps there is a way in which we can attempt to control the > dissemination of such problem software if everyone who maintains an > archive were to clear any software submissions through the ASP. How do we "control" dissemination of software. I think the best avenue would be one of education. I'd certainly be willing to post any and all "press releases" concerning raids on BBS operators that were running pirate boards. Most of the callers to my BBS are aware of my thoughts on this matter and will let me know immediately if there is any question about any submission. They realize that I will immediately remove anything that is questionable. And what is the ASP? How would I go about clearing the latest submissions to my BBS through the ASP? I can't spend a lot of time nor money calling out. > I'm sure such an approach would be a pain for quite a few of us, but in > the long run, it would help more than hinder the growth of the software > industry. Speaking for myself, I would be spend less time worrying > about my applications being pirated and more time developing a > professional product if I had confidence that there were more people > with integrity out there than without. I think that more of us have integrity than don't. Unfortunately, it doesn't take too many without integrity to do a lot of harm. > Any thoughts? I'd like to see some sort of active effort to close down pirate BBSs. In every case, it seems that you have to upload commercial software to gain access, so anyone that is not a pirate cannot gain access without committing a crime. Perhaps some authors could upload special "demo" versions of their programs to obtain access to "elite" sections of these BBSs and then file formal charges against the operators. > Please, if you must, flame me by e-mail -- don't waste bandwidth. > > Saify Lanewala > .. att!attunix!stl --- Cal ____ HOBBIT / / / 340 Meg Online HOLE / / / 12/24/9600HST bps AMIGA: ____ / / / Exclusively Amiga \ \ \/ / / "Best Amiga BBS in FL" The computer for the BEST of us! \ \ \/ / July, 1989 Final List(tm) \_\_\/ A comfortable place to meet -------------------------------------- Cal Jones, Sysop. 904-243-6219 24Hrs "I'll show you my file list if you'll show me yours."