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From: dlow@hpspcoi.HP.COM (Danny Low)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Re: Caught in the act of piracy
Message-ID: <1460006@hpspcoi.HP.COM>
Date: 28 Feb 90 18:00:40 GMT
References: <1990Feb28.003201.10614@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu>
Organization: HP Lovecraft Division
Lines: 24

>I strongly disapprove of pirating software, and am quite vocal about
>it.  As a result, I found myself in the uncomfortable position of
>feeling like I was suspected of having turned this person's name in
>to the company.  I most certainly did not do so.
>
>My question: what mechanism is likely to have triggered such a letter?
>
>                                        --doug james

The Software Publishing Association has an phone number that people
can call to expose pirates. It's all anonymous but there is some
evidence as to who calls. When the piracy is wide spread within the
company, the call is usually made by an employee with more honesty
than the company or a disgruntle employee or ex-employee. This type
of piracy results in a formal letter to the company that usually requests
an on site audit by the SFA. When an individual pirate is singled out
it is usually a tip from another employee with a grudge against the
pirate. Most people resolve a conflict between honesty and people
they know and like by remaining silent.

			   Danny Low
    "Question Authority and the Authorities will question You"
	   Valley of Hearts Delight, Silicon Valley
     HP SPCD   dlow%hpspcoi@hplabs.hp.com   ...!hplabs!hpspcoi!dlow