Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    Ummm... I am a little hazy about the implications, piracy-wise,
    of swapping Marauder Brain files.  I know you're supposed to pay
    $15, plus download time, to get the update.  
    
    I have Brain File 7, which copies FTA.  If you like, I'll back 
    up FTA for you.  I am sure that this is not immoral or illegal, since
    you purchased one original, and will now have one backup.
    
    Anyone have any comments on Brain file swaps?  I guess that Discovery
    feels that they are entitled to compensation for the upgrade, since
    they continue to invest time and manpower in cracking new CP schemes.
    However, I hate to continue to pay for things that I've already
    bought, (like EA upgrades and non-CP'ed versions).
    
    This is a very touchy subject, but one worth discussing in a rational
    manner.  I'm sure there are some people reading these notes who
    would one day like to make a living by selling software.  
    
    Paul, if my offer makes any sense to you, send a blank floppy to
    
    Ed Acciardi
    MS SHR1-4/B10
    
    or call me at 237-3693
                                                                   

    I finally got into their BBS later last night.  I had never done so
    before and didn't know their policies or techniques for distributing
    brain files.  I went ahead and gave them my Visa number for v8, so
    hopefully I will be able to get it tonight.

	Paul

    The latest is Brain File 8 with Brain File 9 coming out any day
    (so if you're going to pay for one, it might do to wait a bit).
    Each Brain file contains all the  previous files. BTW there are
    2 different releases of Faery Tale. Brain File 8 would not copy
    my version until I called up Discovery. After trying a few of the
    different options it turns out that if you use Verbatum rather than
    Analyze it will copy. This will be fixed in Brain File 9.
    
    I'm also curious of some copyright impications.  When I called up
    and told them of the Faery Tale version that I had purchased and
    my inability to copy it with the Analyze mode, they requested that
    I copy it with Verbatum and send them a copy so that they can analyze
    it and have it fixed in Brain File 9. They assured me that the copy
    would then be returned to me.  Is this 'allowed' according to the
    current copyright laws?  Or can I be considered a 'pirate' for doing
    this?
    
    					just curious
    						Jim
    

Re: .9

>    I copy it with Verbatum and send them a copy so that they can analyze
>    it and have it fixed in Brain File 9. They assured me that the copy
>    would then be returned to me.  Is this 'allowed' according to the
>    current copyright laws?  Or can I be considered a 'pirate' for doing
>    this?

I believe that if you follow the exact procedure given, you would be breaking
the copyright laws.  The copyright laws would not allow you to make a copy
and send it to Discovery Software and yet retain a copy.  However, if you
destroy all of your copies and send the original to Discovery, you would
be ok.  They, of course, then could destroy all their copies when they are
though, and mail the software back to you and not break any copyright.

One complication in all of this is that some software is licensed.  This
provides stronger protection for the software distributors than copyright
alone.  For example, some software has on the box some text to the effect
"This software is licensed to the buyer.  The buyer agrees not to transfer
ownership and agrees not to make any copies of this software.  If you do
not wish to abide by the terms of this license, do not break the seal on
this package, return the package to <whoever>, and your full purchase price
will be refunded.  Breaking the seal on this box constitutes acceptance
of the terms of this license."  This example license takes away from the
buyer two rights he has under the copyright laws.  Under the copyright laws,
you can transfer ownership, and if the item copyrighted is a computer program,
 you are allowed to make two backup copies of the item.

Off hand, I would say you should tell Discovery to buy their own copy
of the program.  Even if the program isn't licensed, I doubt that you
want to go without it for a month or two while Discovery tries to figure
out what is going on.

>    Off hand, I would say you should tell Discovery to buy their own copy
>of the program.  Even if the program isn't licensed, I doubt that you
>want to go without it for a month or two while Discovery tries to figure
>out what is going on.

    I can picture a Discovery programmer going down to the local computer
    store searching for a copy of Faery Tale that they *can't* copy.
    
    :^)
    
    						Jim
    

    Lets all face the fact that copies are made of software. For good
    reasons as well bad.
    
    I do not copy, for any reason whatsoever, other than the protection
    of my own investment, another companies software. A simple rule,
    and fair. Rather than a bunch of lawyers techno babble , which gives
    use warranties and gauranties that warrant and gaurantee nothing
    ( other that the media which the software was applied to will work,
    which by the way was warrantied and guaranteed by another company
    (catch my drift))
    
    Well I can't help feeling that many of the software houes haven't helped
    themselves by adding software copy protection. It has given rise
    to another whole software industry whose job it is to break the
    new codes. If this sounds a bit like the arms race don't be amazed.
    It is certainly as ridiculous.
    
    What the honest user of software is left with is a disk that is
    running on the fringe. A fragile disk that if miss handled may eat
    your work. We are forced to by un-copy protect programs to protect
    OUR work ( which by the way is the reason a software company sold
    us the software in the first place) I mean i certainlly don't by
    a piece of software because I felt bad for the company and wanted
    to show them my support.
    
    I think that there has to be more cost effective methods for companies
    to protect thier software. 
    
    And we the users need to be more responsible. That demo copy you
    gave your buddy, did it produce a sale? ( do you care?) . I think
    the software industry is more concerned about those "innocent copies"
    that blatant piracy. Pirates are easy to find and prosecute in
    comparison with the whole of the user population.

    I think the most powerful software theft-deterrant came in the form
    of a printed message on the inside jacket of ASDG's FACC program.
    It went something like...
    
    'ASDG has served the Amiga market loyally.  Remember the Recoverable
    Ram Disk?  Please don't betray our trust by giving away this software.'
                      
    I could never steal from a guy who looks me in the eye and asks
    me not to.
    
    On the other hand, I was in the Software Shop on saturday and was
    checking out a new WP package from Digital Solutions.  They are
    the firm that produced the best WP for the C'64.  Well, we quickly
    found out that the disk is incredibly copy protected.  It is impossible
    to install it onto a hard disk.  Not only that, but it is impossible
    to even run it with the hard disk mounted.  This stupid program
    insists that it be the boot disk, sys: disk, etc.  Totally worthless
    piece of garbage.  Nowhere on the package is the copy protection
    indicated.  At least EA states it clearly on the package.
    
    Once you get the package home and open it up, you're greeted with
    a message announcing that the non-CP'ed version is available for
    an extra $15.00.  The company is in Canada, so figure on a month
    before you can put your new WP to work.
    
    What's even worse is you are absolutely FORCED to write to the original
    disk to create a configuration file.
    
    I hope they sell 5 or 6 copies of this program and then go out of
    business.