Xref: utzoo rec.music.synth:17114 comp.sys.apple2:8476 comp.sys.amiga:71675 comp.sys.mac.misc:5745 comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc:3650 misc.legal:22604
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!news
From: stevo@uniblab.Jpl.Nasa.Gov (Steve Groom)
Newsgroups: rec.music.synth,comp.sys.apple2,comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.mac.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,misc.legal
Subject: Re: Do *NOT* reveal or mention "hacking" information (was Re: paper clip trick)
Message-ID: <1990Nov15.000626.25016@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov>
Date: 15 Nov 90 00:06:26 GMT
References: <2716@polari.UUCP> <11071@milton.u.washington.edu> <1990Nov14.225343.4867@isis.cs.du.edu>
Sender: news@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov (Usenet)
Organization: Image Analysis Systems Group, JPL
Lines: 36
Nntp-Posting-Host: uniblab.jpl.nasa.gov

[ re: subverting copy protection ]

In article <1990Nov14.225343.4867@isis.cs.du.edu> kreme@isis.UUCP (Name? I don't need no stinking name!) writes:
>IT IS NOT ILLEGAL.  You have every right to subvert copy protection.  You can
>do anything you want to the program, you OWN it.  You can change it, modify
                                      ^^^^^^^^^^
>it, rewrite it, whatever you want.  The only thing you can't do is DISTRIBUTE
>what you've done.  There is NOTHING illegal about removing copy ptotection code
>from a program.  Not according to the United States Code at least...

However, some software packages clearly state that you are not purchasing
a copy of the software, but that you are purchasing a license
to use the software.
They may also state that the actual software remains the property of the
seller, and that the money you paid
went only for a license.  In this case, you DON'T own it, you're just
using a copy supplied with the license.
The diskettes in the box still belong to the
company, they're just being loaned to you because you hold a valid license.
They may continue to say
that the software falls under the category of "Trade Secret", and
that attempting to reverse-engineer or alter the software may not only
be a violation of the license, but also grounds for civil action.

As for the *illegality* of such a violation of license, I don't know.
"Trade Secrets" are another issue altogether.  The consequences
are unclear, but what is clear is that just because you purchased
the latest-and-greatest from XYZ software you don't necessarily
have the right to do what you want with it or to it.

Read the license.  There's a reason they make you open the triple-sealed
packages to get to the diskettes.  If you don't like the license don't
use the software.
-- 
Steve Groom, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
stevo@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov  {ames,usc}!elroy!stevo