Microsoft collars eight UK resellers for dealing counterfeit software

[Whiternoise]

Semi-legal at home?

Not on the list though. I assume using an old XP disc is illegal.. not that MS are likely to crack down on me for being a hardcore pirate.

[Sinizter]

Just to add to my previous soap-box rant, if Apple sell me a Leopard license I want to use it wherever on whatever I want to. Their EULA is practically illegal anyway.

[Scott B]

Semi-legal at home added.

Sinizter, I think licensing issues for home users are relevant. Thanks for bringing it up.

[badass]

With some software, its debatable for my company. With some, we are definately using more than we have paid for. One of those example s is we are using about 3 times to many copies of office pro, however we have way to many office standard licenses and the cost difference means we have paid way more than we needed to for software, and aren't legal. We have another company in another country that has pretty much no licenses for any software, but even if Microsoft found out we were doing that, when they saw who we are, they would definately back off

[Workaholic]

That's why many companies who use their house-software typically compile them in linux...

for the cost-effectiveness

[Scott B]

Is this an example of where confusion can occur? Second hand software company says business will survive Microsoft licence changes | OUT-LAW.COM

[dangel]

Is this an example of where confusion can occur? Second hand software company says business will survive Microsoft licence changes | OUT-LAW.COM

It's easier than that - confusion occurs whenever MS is involved. Their licencing/PA systems are a nightmare to navigate.

[Amberley]

As a B2B computer Company we come across a lot of business that have systems supplied by other companies and installed with software that they do not have licenses for/ or that a member of staff has installed and when we do a full audit of their systems and show them what is on the network and the consequences for illegal soft ware they are quite shocked and say they did not know that it was illegal to share it around

We work very hard to bring them up to a legal level with all the software licences that they need and lock down their systems so no illegal software can be installed.
I think that anybody that deals in illegal software in this industry are stealing and taking work from legitimate and contentious computer businesses by under cutting them on the cost of software and installation

Kevin Meader
Member of ITACS
For and on behalf of Amberley Computer systems

[tigerboyce]

Im as legal as i can be, but some of the software that i need for the course that i am studying costing upwards of $3,000 dollars per standalone licence in some cases, not to mention plug ins that are in excess of $400, i dont really have a lot of choice... Those are the exceptions though, of course i am running legit windows, office (ty ultimate steal ) and games etc etc


At least the course is legit... i think

[Hendy Armstrong]

It is now very rare, during our B2B activity, to come across companies who have unknowingly purchased illegal software. Companies are generally much more savvy than that. From solicitors through nursing homes to general manufacturing companies, most are complicit in running with pirate or unlicenced software. Many actively seek out/purchase educational licences to save only 10s of £s per copy. We deal with this by not dealing with them. We lose income generating service when we refuse to act improperly. However, they continue to obtain support from other sources showing a reluctance to become legal, and demonstrating others less visible are there ready, willing and able.

The bricks and mortar independent sector seems no longer to be the problem it once was. 8 detections is not an impressive figure and deters only those with a location based presence. The problem now lies with the multitude of mobile phone build and support operators and this is where Microsoft's future challenges will lie. In our B2C services we see many PCs with unlicensed Windows and Office. We help many to legalise their OS but Office is a step too far and they leave our premises with either Open Office or expressed intention to obtain a "disk from somewhere else".

Being illegal, in the main, is no longer an innocent occurance. In both of the above scenarios part of Microsoft's solution will have to involve these bricks and mortar independents. Systems of cooperation are needed. Illegality is increasing and our businesses are adversely affected as a result.

I, like Norman in an earlier post, am a member of the Committee of Itacs. It is important to us all that pro-active cooperation is not only talked about but also put into practice. There is a great danger though, that any intelligence mechanisms become contaminated by vendetta based reporting. We should all sit down and work out how each can help the other.


Hendy Armstrong

Assesstec Systems

[IBM]

Ooooh, three new users from this thread alone....Not bad....

Semi Legit, but as time goes by and I move further and further away from being a student, I'm much more likely to buy licensed versions of software....I've even been known to pay for 'contributions please' software if I think it's a good piece of code.

But then I'm blurring the lines by using student software at work. Not because I'm doing it on purpose, but because my MBA laptop and work laptop are one and the same, and everytime I start up Office 07 for work I think 'should be using Open Office' and then shrug because I simply cannot be arsed to change between the two.

Got to say that I love legit copies of software. No worrying about dud versions, or getting round registration issues, and being able to upgrade for a 'minimal' fee every time a new version comes along. But I hate being limited to using some software on just one PC. I have a home desktop and a laptop, and would like all my software across both systems, but can't 'cause that's not how it works....at least some are putting more progressive Licensing agreements into place....

[badass]

Many actively seek out/purchase educational licences to save only 10s of £s per copy.

Thats actually a legal gray area that still needs to be clarified through court.
Some would argue that that licensing is unlawfully restrictive and that for every license purchased, it can legally be installed on any one machine ,regardless of who uses it.

[CenturyComp]

To the Author:

What you have written about Century Computing is not accurate and tant amount slander.

I have already requested contact regarding this article, and for it to be removed or corrected with immediate effect.

[badb0y]

I have noticed that mb computers t/a ram computers is mentioned here.
the facts are incorrect.
mb computers/ram computers did not admit dealing in counterfeit software, they were accused of selling 2 computers with genuine microsoft licences that were not uk versions. manufacturered by microsoft for use not in the uk.
they were found guilty as they did not turn up to court, but there absence was agreed with microsofts solicitors prior to the case.
the solicitor then asked the judge to continue knowing that they was not coming and he failed to let the court know what he had agreed with them.
they got a judgment with there underhandidness.
they were hounded by microsoft as they refused to tell them who supplied the 2 licences.
trading standard visited there outlets and found them to be clean of any pirated/counterfeit software.
microsoft were underhanded in there instance
many thanks for reading and the above is true!!!!!

[ajones]

Is this post becoming a legal battle ground?

I think handbags have been drawn....

You've missed 100% kosher at home and at work /smug_grin

[TiG]

I have noticed that mb computers t/a ram computers is mentioned here.
the facts are incorrect.
mb computers/ram computers did not admit dealing in counterfeit software, they were accused of selling 2 computers with genuine microsoft licences that were not uk versions. manufacturered by microsoft for use not in the uk.
they were found guilty as they did not turn up to court, but there absence was agreed with microsofts solicitors prior to the case.
the solicitor then asked the judge to continue knowing that they was not coming and he failed to let the court know what he had agreed with them.
they got a judgment with there underhandidness.
they were hounded by microsoft as they refused to tell them who supplied the 2 licences.
trading standard visited there outlets and found them to be clean of any pirated/counterfeit software.
microsoft were underhanded in there instance
many thanks for reading and the above is true!!!!!

They didn't turn up in court, the judge then found them guilty. They sold two licences that they weren't legally intitled to, so they are guilty. You've admitted so in your own post.

But the fact that people are still looking and posting on this thread is very interesting, it does show that companies doing this are looked at very badly.

I certainly wouldn't do business with a company if there was the slightest supsicion that they were, either now or in the past guilty or at least complicit in selling illegal/pirated software.

TiG