Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc:3473 rec.music.synth:16980
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!nghiem
From: nghiem@ut-emx.uucp (Alex Nghiem)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,rec.music.synth
Subject: Re: Do *NOT* reveal or mention "hacking" information (was Re: paper clip trick)
Message-ID: <39489@ut-emx.uucp>
Date: 10 Nov 90 05:23:49 GMT
References: <2653@ttardis.UUCP> <2259@unsvax.NEVADA.EDU>
Followup-To: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin; Austin, Texas
Lines: 42

In article <2259@unsvax.NEVADA.EDU> alfter@uns-helios.uucp (SCOTT ALFTER) writes:

>Again, it is perfectly legal to unprotect software for your own use,
>either to make a backup copy or install it on a hard disk.  It is also
>legal to disseminate information on how to unprotect software.

Most software are now covered by shrink-wrap license agreements which
forbid you to modify the code. Violation of a shrink wrap agreement
entitles the software owner to civil remedies against you, the
licensee. 

Over all, fair use will come into play. It is doubtful that a software
company will come after you if you hack or make personal copies of
your software. In fact, the goal of software companies is to sell more
software--bad p.r. by sueing a little guy will not help sales whereas
the little guy will most likely get his company to buy a package if
he likes it and he feels he needs it at work. 

However the software
company will likely come after you if you pirate or distribute 
software on a large scale and they will come after  
private and government entities if the software company can prove 
gross negligence on the part of the entity. 

If your employer
is brought to court because of your negligence, you can bet you will lose
your job.
_________________________________________________________________________
Any article posted to USENET or any other electronic forum by Alex Nghiem 
are posted for discussion only. Any misrepresentation, inaccuracy, or 
omission, if any, are purely unintentional. Any opinion expressed or implicit
these articles are those of Alex Nghiem and are not necessarily those of the
University of Texas or any other agency of the State of Texas.

My condolences to those who require this disclaimer.

nghiem@emx.utexas.edu
!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!nghiem
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