Topic awaiting preservation: download software

I am looking into www.limewire.com and downloading free software (Adobe Illustrator). I am new to this- and was wondering what are the pros/cons of free software vs paying the hefty price and purchasing directly from company. Know of any other good sites other than limewire?


[This message has been edited by CRO8 (edited 06-03-2003).]

CRO8: Adobe Illustrator isn't free software - it is rather expensive software. Obviously stealing it means you don't technically pay for it but that is something we don't condone here.

[edit:

:FAQ: What is the Asylum policy on warez/illegal software? ]

___________________
Emps

FAQs: Emperor

Why don't you rephrase your message like this:

I am looking into www.limewire.com. Know of any other good sites other than limewire?

Just some simple editing to keep everyone happy.

here



.:[ Never resist a perfect moment ]:.

But, too answer your question. There are no diffrences, really, besides the fact that you don'y really own the software.

The pros and cons of downloading software.
Well...

Pro: You get thousands of dollars of great software.

Con: If you get caught, you get to be the distinctive honor of being a cell mate's prison b!tc#. (in other words, if you get caught, you go to jail.) And Adobe does go after piraters.

I apologize if I upset anyone- not my intention.

How can a site exist like limewire, when its illegal?

[This message has been edited by CRO8 (edited 06-03-2003).]

CRO8: Limewire isn't illegal its just a tool which can have many useful applications it just happens that illegal file swapping is its largest use

___________________
Emps

FAQs: Emperor

It's not illegal to swap files, just like it's not illegal to record video.

However, it *is* illegal to pirate software by downloading it from someone else and not paying for it...just as it's illegal to make unauthorized copies of movies instead of buying them.

*Please* understand the vast difference between downloading "free software" and downloading software without paying for it....

I understand.

I think the only time when you need to buy the program is when you're creating something you are going to sell, or profit in any other way from the product designed with (e.g. adobe's) piece of software. If you download it, and play around with hands-on (or any other free tutorials), you will not become anybody's bitch, because it is highly unlikely that a corporation will go after end-users like yourself rather than the actual pirates who distribute the sowtware.

I'm not closely familiar with the software copyright laws, but when it comes to games and videos, I dont remember reading anywhere that it is illegal to watch a pirated video or play a game which does not bear a mark of authenticity. So why should anyone go to jail for downloading a program??? NO WAY.

quote:

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However, it *is* illegal to pirate software by downloading it from someone else and not paying for it...just as it's illegal to make unauthorized copies of movies instead of buying them.

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--- DL-44,


Is that a fact? Some links would be appreciated. Especially the ones that back up your statement of it being illegal to DOWNLOAD a piece of software.

We, oops, sorry, people that uses pirated software don't go to jail because there are so many to be caught. There is always a risk in using pirated software and being caught, as there is a risk of walking on a sidewalk and being dead by a lost bullet (this is more common in my country than here, in the US), as there is a risk in not paying the due taxes, as there is a risk in travelling by plane, by car, by bycicle, by elevator, and so on, etc, etc. Life is a risk in itself. You have to decide which risks are worth taking.

And then you have to realize that when someone steals your work and uses it for whatever ends they feel like, you have no right to bitch, as you set the precedent.

Welcome to a "free user" world, dowload junkies, feel free to create some shit...maybe I can take it and use it for something better, or profitable.

asptamer, if you do own any software try reading the user license. they pretty much all say something to the effect of "this license grants you the right to install and use this software on one machine." any other use of that software by you or another person would be illegal.

chris


KAIROSinteractive

quote:

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And then you have to realize that when someone steals your work and uses it for whatever ends they feel like, you have no right to bitch.

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I disagree. I think I'd have the right to bitch. After all, bitching is free to everyone.
Do you really believe that the guys that run big companies, like the movie industry, do not use pirated software in their private big and luxury homes? Do you really believe that their sons and daughters do not download any pirated piece of copyrighted material over the Internet? Get real.
The other day I read in a Brazilian newspaper that a CEO of some of these movie industry big companies confessed he uses Kazaa. And I'm pretty confident that he's not alone.
BTW, I don't use Kazaa and nothing similar, although I have an incredibly Internet broadband connection here. And I don't use because I don't have the patience to use them. For me, these "tools" just suck big time.
In my original country and city, it is much easier just go to a very known open market and buy whatever you want, for just half a dozen dollars (or less), with the authorities' acquiescence. We have much worse problems in our country to deal with them trying to put behind bars good people that just want to have software for an affordable price. It's another reality.

Asptamer: Yes, it is a fact. As fig said, try reading the user agreement on any piece of software that you have pruchased. It is quite clear, beyond a doubt.

Do I have links? Not offhand...I'm sure a quick google search will give you some info. Of course, not all the things people learn are learned from websites

There are monumental amounts of information regarding copyright issues....look around.

{edit -
And of course, we can debate the ethics of illegally downloading copyrighted material all day long. The legality isn't very debatable. And depending on the situation, there can be some pretty rough penalties for posessing pirated software. The average joe might not have to be overly concerned...but the penalties are there...
}

{{edit2 - ans some links...
http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/antipiracy/piracy.html
http://www.idsa.com/piracy.html
http://www.whatiscopyright.org/
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html

And, as you asked, from: http://www.bsa.org/usa/policyres/admin/VehiclesforTheft.pdf -

quote:

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Quite simply, to make or download unauthorized copies of software is to
break the law, no matter how many copies are involved. Whether you
are casually making a few copies for friends, loaning disks, distributing
and/or downloading pirated software via the Internet, or buying a
single software program and then installing it on 100 of your company?s
personal computers, you are committing a copyright infringement.
It doesn?t matter if you are doing it to make money or not ? you are
exposing yourself to severe civil and potentially even criminal penalties.

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...for starters.
As I said though, the web isn't the only place to learn. I don't base my statements or opinions on "what I read on a webpage" (in most cases...) }}






[This message has been edited by DL-44 (edited 06-03-2003).]