Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnewsl!saify
From: saify@cbnewsl.att.com (saify.lanewala)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Piracy
Message-ID: <1990Jun13.173658.7706@cbnewsl.att.com>
Date: 13 Jun 90 17:36:58 GMT
References: <21678@snow-white.udel.EDU>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 81

In article <21678@snow-white.udel.EDU>, jones@uv4.eglin.af.mil (Calvin Jones, III) writes:
 [ responding to my earlier post re piracy]
> 
> First, let me open by saying that I run a legitimate BBS.  I've never 
> promoted piracy and never will!
> 
 [ I made some comments about BBSes being more vulnerable to piracy
   than FF, xanth  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 /<oo/ |>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!
> 
> 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 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.
> 
> 
> 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. 
> 
> 
>    --- Cal
>            ____
>  Cal Jones, Sysop.  904-243-6219  24Hrs
> 

Sorry to include such a long posting.  Naturally, as I'm sure you
all understand, I don't mean to imply that *ALL* BBSes are problematical.

I would suppose that there are potential difficulties with ftp sites,
except that access to such sites requires a few more resources than the
average BBS.

What are your thoughts on charging a fee for people to join a BBS?
Lots of them do that right now.  My presumption is that a fee would
restrict the amount of participation to "serious" folk.

Perhaps another way would be to advertise all the known pirate BBSes,
so we can start boycotting them.  I'm sure that alone would not stop
them, but it would send a message that we're serious about stopping
software piracy.

Unfortunately, I think it's also going to require software developers
to start providing "limited functionality" demos on selected sites/BBSes
so that people can try before they buy.

As far as the ASP is concerned, they are a professional organization
that attempts to monitor and control software piracy.  Perhaps the ASP
could take the lead in this and distribute a newsletter periodically
identifying problem software.  It's not ideal, but at least it would
raise a flag.

As you mention, personal integrity is the key.  Much as I don't like
copy-protected software, I can understand why we have it.

I want to emphasize again that I have no solutions, only opinions
and questions.  I want to start some meaningful dialogue and search
for possible ways out of this mess.  Most of all, I want us all to
avoid flaming each other, because it invariably causes the discussions
to go off on a tangent.

Saify Lanewala
.. att!attunix!stl