2 Apr
2001
2 Apr
'01
3:45 a.m.
Couldn't have said it better myself. I get so tired of reading complaints
about piracy with respect to unsupported and unavailable software. It's nice
to
see that not everyone is afraid to stand up and challenge such mindless
legalism.
With respect to the Penguin books, such a thing would be possible with
software today, were it not for the fact that copyrights for computer
software
are, for all intents and purposes, eternal.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marion Bates" <Marion.Bates(a)dartmouth.edu>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2001 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: Classic Mac Network Games
--- Mike Ford wrote:
I also strongly recommend doing what I do, BUY old software and use legal
copies. What you "do" teaches kids more than what you" say", and
running a
lot of bootleg software (except for MS products) gives the wrong message.
Showing that a bunch of old computers can still be a LOT of fun is the
RIGHT message.
--- end of quote ---
Thank you for the morality lesson. However, when games are defunct and the
software
companies no longer exist, I don't see a piracy issue with using
those programs freely. Or perhaps I should tear down my Lisa software FTP
server? I was not advocating ripping off commercial software, and I rather
resent that implication.
If the makers of Spectre VR are still around and still selling/supporting
their
older stuff, I'll happily send in my payment. I doubt that they are,
but it would be easy to find out and act accordingly. If they're NOT around
or are no longer supporting their program, then they have nothing to lose by
your using it freely. They've already made their money and moved on.
As a semi-parallel, Penguin Classics are re-releases of classic literature
sold for
about $2 each because the copyrights and/or royalty requirements
have expired over time. I view ancient software similarly (and yes, I would
pay a token fee like $2 for an old game, if there were anyone left to take
the money). Your classic Mac might as well be a boat anchor if you can't run
something on it.
-- MB