Ethics of cracking
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Here's a hypothetical. 5 years ago, before I was a programmer, I purchased a super specialized word processor from a small company. I paid $500.00 for the product, which is now discontinued. The original floppy disks are corrupt. For me, I still enjoy this program and want to move it onto other my new computer. Now, the program has a somewhat complex copy protection scheme built in. And I feel confident I could break it. So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway.
I think that since you have paid for use of this program and you are not going to share it with others it is perfectly moral for you to find the way to make it work on your system even if it requires cracking. After all, the copy protection is a way to stop unauthorized use of the program. If you paid your money you are authorized. :)
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Here's a hypothetical. 5 years ago, before I was a programmer, I purchased a super specialized word processor from a small company. I paid $500.00 for the product, which is now discontinued. The original floppy disks are corrupt. For me, I still enjoy this program and want to move it onto other my new computer. Now, the program has a somewhat complex copy protection scheme built in. And I feel confident I could break it. So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway.
"It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission." -- Unknown "Just do it!" -- Nike ;) --Mike-- My really out-of-date homepage "Why does anyone have a web page? Too much free time... not enough friends... justifying owning a computer." -- Noel Crane on Felicity Sonork - 100.10414 AcidHelm Big fan of Alyson Hannigan.
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Here's a hypothetical. 5 years ago, before I was a programmer, I purchased a super specialized word processor from a small company. I paid $500.00 for the product, which is now discontinued. The original floppy disks are corrupt. For me, I still enjoy this program and want to move it onto other my new computer. Now, the program has a somewhat complex copy protection scheme built in. And I feel confident I could break it. So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway.
Morally, I'd say go for it. You bought it, you should be able to use it. However, it is quite illegal. :) But I have no qualms about piracy really. The whole paradigm has to change soon... J
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Here's a hypothetical. 5 years ago, before I was a programmer, I purchased a super specialized word processor from a small company. I paid $500.00 for the product, which is now discontinued. The original floppy disks are corrupt. For me, I still enjoy this program and want to move it onto other my new computer. Now, the program has a somewhat complex copy protection scheme built in. And I feel confident I could break it. So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway.
Actually, I think, the moral question is, that if you succeed, in breaking the copy protection, would it then be fair of you to keep, other less fortunate/skilled owners of the product, from enjoying it, by withholding the crack. In the first place, I think it is highly imorral of the company, to just disappear after having sold something, without having any intentions of making a escape route for the customers. I know it is illegal, but then again, you should propably ask youself if you would be hurting anybody by releasing the crack, and if not, if you maybe would save somebody from the griefs you have experienced yourself. Christian Skovdal Andersen "I have a plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel." -Edmund, Blackadder III
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Actually, I think, the moral question is, that if you succeed, in breaking the copy protection, would it then be fair of you to keep, other less fortunate/skilled owners of the product, from enjoying it, by withholding the crack. In the first place, I think it is highly imorral of the company, to just disappear after having sold something, without having any intentions of making a escape route for the customers. I know it is illegal, but then again, you should propably ask youself if you would be hurting anybody by releasing the crack, and if not, if you maybe would save somebody from the griefs you have experienced yourself. Christian Skovdal Andersen "I have a plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel." -Edmund, Blackadder III
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Here's a hypothetical. 5 years ago, before I was a programmer, I purchased a super specialized word processor from a small company. I paid $500.00 for the product, which is now discontinued. The original floppy disks are corrupt. For me, I still enjoy this program and want to move it onto other my new computer. Now, the program has a somewhat complex copy protection scheme built in. And I feel confident I could break it. So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway.
I say go for it and DON'T share the crack. Just because you might be using the product legally doesn't mean others would. IMHO, as long as you are following the intent of the original lisence, everything is cool. But as others mentioned, it might be illegal. Tim Smith Descartes Systems Sciences, Inc.
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Here's a hypothetical. 5 years ago, before I was a programmer, I purchased a super specialized word processor from a small company. I paid $500.00 for the product, which is now discontinued. The original floppy disks are corrupt. For me, I still enjoy this program and want to move it onto other my new computer. Now, the program has a somewhat complex copy protection scheme built in. And I feel confident I could break it. So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway.
And why you can't just use Word ? Uncle Bill is watching you... ;P ;P Crivo Automated Credit Assessment
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Here's a hypothetical. 5 years ago, before I was a programmer, I purchased a super specialized word processor from a small company. I paid $500.00 for the product, which is now discontinued. The original floppy disks are corrupt. For me, I still enjoy this program and want to move it onto other my new computer. Now, the program has a somewhat complex copy protection scheme built in. And I feel confident I could break it. So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway.
Of course. I've downloaded sofware from warez sites on the basis that I own it and my disks are corrupt or missing ( if missin,g I know I've not 'lent' then or given them away ). In essence copy protection denies our right to back up our legal software in order to stop people stealing it. Therefore there is nothing wrong with breaking that protection in order to protect your legal investment. Christian After all, there's nothing wrong with an elite as long as I'm allowed to be part of it!! - Mike Burston Oct 23, 2001
Sonork ID 100.10002:MeanManOz
I live in Bob's HungOut now
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Here's a hypothetical. 5 years ago, before I was a programmer, I purchased a super specialized word processor from a small company. I paid $500.00 for the product, which is now discontinued. The original floppy disks are corrupt. For me, I still enjoy this program and want to move it onto other my new computer. Now, the program has a somewhat complex copy protection scheme built in. And I feel confident I could break it. So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway.
Adam Arthur wrote: So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway. IMHO if it, it being whatever you are wanting to do, does not negatively affect anyone else then morally it is not wrong. If you want to hack a programme for yourself and no one else then there is nothing wrong with it. Technically, though, you are probably still breaking the law. However laws are not always right. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa Do you Sonork? I do! 100.9903 Stormfront "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge
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Adam Arthur wrote: So here's the moral question. Is it OK to break the copy protection since I did pay for it? If I were to, I wouldn't post the crack on the Internet or distribute it in anyway. IMHO if it, it being whatever you are wanting to do, does not negatively affect anyone else then morally it is not wrong. If you want to hack a programme for yourself and no one else then there is nothing wrong with it. Technically, though, you are probably still breaking the law. However laws are not always right. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa Do you Sonork? I do! 100.9903 Stormfront "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge
About the only case you can make is that by hacking this program, he is not buying another package and thus hurting that company. But that is REALLY REALLY REALLY pushing it (to the point of absurdity). This is one of the few cases I am VERY liberal. He already paid for the right to use the software. He isn't going to be distributing the hack or warezing the software. So GO FOR IT. :) Tim Smith Descartes Systems Sciences, Inc.