Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!steinmetz!ge-dab!codas!killer!elg
From: elg@killer.UUCP (Eric Green)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.misc
Subject: Re: shrink-wrap copying...
Message-ID: <3386@killer.UUCP>
Date: 18 Feb 88 06:56:45 GMT
References: <9486@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Organization: Bayou Telecommunications
Lines: 25

in article <9486@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>, khayo@sonia.cs.ucla.edu (Erazm J. Behr) says:
> In article <2281@charon.unm.edu> hansb@ariel.unm.edu.UUCP (Hans Bechtel) writes:
>  >I know of a store in a big city in New Mexico that after they buy the
>  >software to sell, they open up the package, copy it, and pass it to
>  >a few of their friends, shrink-wrap it again, and put it back on the
>  >shelves for sale.
> If you have any evidence other than hearsay, I think you'd do us all a
> big favor by getting in touch with your local Distr. Atty.'s office.

The problem is, that's a violation of federal law, copyright law, and not a
violation of any local ordinances. The FBI, when contacted about violations of
copyright law, generally refuses to get involved unless we are talking tens of
thousands of dollars. After all, they have kidnappers, murderers, KGB agents,
etc. to take care of, and isn't that more important than making sure that
BiXYZ Softwar Co. gets its 200% profit? 

I know of two local stores where personel have, in the past, done what you
described.  I won't tell you how I know it, except that it's not 2nd or 3rd
hand evidence :-). 

--
Eric Lee Green  elg@usl.CSNET     Asimov Cocktail,n., A verbal bomb
{cbosgd,ihnp4}!killer!elg              detonated by the mention of any
Snail Mail P.O. Box 92191              subject, resulting in an explosion
Lafayette, LA 70509                    of at least 5,000 words.