Rant: Driven to Software Piracy.
 

I'm not normally an evil person. I don't use software that I haven't paid for, on general principle, just like I don't generally listen to music that I haven't paid for, or watch movies that I haven't paid for. It just isn't right, you know?

But I spent a small fortune at AutoEnginuity.com to purchase their scantool and the BMW specific extensions so I can properly maintain my car. And it would seem like, after spending all that money, I'd be able to activate the new capabilities on the first try and have a successful operation.

No such luck. After spending 3 days e-mailing back and forth with the tech, who treats me like I'm not worth his time, I finally broke down and headed for google to find a pirated version of the software. 10 minutes later, I'm up and running with a fully operational version of the software for which I paid handsomely but could not obtain from the manufacturer.

Why can't software producers do a thing correctly? Why could this not have worked like it was supposed to? Why did I have to pirate software that I had purchased?

(/rant)
Ok, I'm done. Thanks for listening.

Its kinda like the songs that I sometimes download. 99% of them are copies of old songs that I have purchased, sometimes purchased several times and ended up losing the tape, CD or the album warps.

How many times should I pay royalities to these guys? Once or twice is enough IMHO and after that I have no problem downloading "Dark side of the moon" to keep in a digital format forever.

On the same venue, I formally admit that I make copies of DVD's that I own. Yep, have done it for years, and do it as well with music CD's. I keep the originals in a nice safe place upstairs (in a closet) so that if someone scratches it during a party or a punk breaks into the car and steals the CD's I simply make another copy.

The "artists" have made enough of my money already. I have a copy of "the fastest Indian" and several CSI shows with me now (am overseas working) and will watch them in the hotel. If the maid steals one then I am out nothing. If she steals the original then I am torqued...

Arrest me...

If it's good enough and I actually use it, I pay for it no problem. If it's having "just to have", I download.

You did not pirate the software if you paid for a license to use it.

These days you never really buy the "item". You buy the "license" or "right" to use it.

Most licenses allow you to make a backup copy. Some SW licenses even explicitely allow installation on more than one computer as long as you do not run concurrently. Adobe's license is one example that allows installation on 2 seperate machines.

What Joe does is a good idea especially for CD's kept in your car. A lot of car insurance policies do not cover "portable" items. Items that can be taken with you when you leave the car, like CD's.

Joe, what you're doing is perfectly legal. Copyright law explicity states that a backup copy for personal use is acceptable, whether that's audio CDs, DVDs or software.

Awesome movie - one of my favorites.

I have been driven to software piracy as well.

I went to a store looking for software, and discovered that they wanted money for it.

So I stole it.

Agree but then why has Sony been wasting millions on copy protection software on their movies (Casino Royale is the latest) that not only does not allow the legal owner to make a backup copy but in 40% of the latest movie would not even allow the legal owner to play the bloody movie?

I spent three days trying to figure out how to get the movie to play after renting it from NetFlix then went online only to find out that Sony had sent out millions of copies of the movie that would not play. They were recalling them and replacing them with a version that did not have the copy protection program on them.

If we as the purchaser have the legal right to make a backup copy (as we do) then how can they be legal doing this? Personally I have contacted NetFlix and Sony and told them that I will never watch another movie that is configured in this manner.

All the more reason that they should be providing excellent tech customer service.

When Pelican screwed up an order of mine 5 years ago on a car cover, it was first dealt with poorly by a kid. I was pissed and vowed to shop elsewhere from there on. When I called back and got Tom, explained the situation, he "got it" and sent me a better quality cover practically overnight.

that was meaningful and have shopped at Pelican exclusively since...placing an order today in fact.

Sony Root Kit from 05.

Sony just plain sucks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_Copy_Protection

THe EULA was a just as bad.

1. If your house gets burgled, you have to delete all your music from your laptop when you get home. That's because the EULA says that your rights to any copies terminate as soon as you no longer possess the original CD.

2. You can't keep your music on any computers at work. The EULA only gives you the right to put copies on a "personal home computer system owned by you."

3. If you move out of the country, you have to delete all your music. The EULA specifically forbids "export" outside the country where you reside.

4. You must install any and all updates, or else lose the music on your computer. The EULA immediately terminates if you fail to install any update. No more holding out on those hobble-ware downgrades masquerading as updates.

5. Sony-BMG can install and use backdoors in the copy protection software or media player to "enforce their rights" against you, at any time, without notice. And Sony-BMG disclaims any liability if this "self help" crashes your computer, exposes you to security risks, or any other harm.

6. The EULA says Sony-BMG will never be liable to you for more than $5.00. That's right, no matter what happens, you can't even get back what you paid for the CD.

7. If you file for bankruptcy, you have to delete all the music on your computer. Seriously.

8. You have no right to transfer the music on your computer, even along with the original CD.

9. Forget about using the music as a soundtrack for your latest family photo slideshow, or mash-ups, or sampling. The EULA forbids changing, altering, or make derivative works from the music on your computer.

Note: .nix OS's like the one I use were not affected;)

Well, I don't know for sure, but I'd hazard a guess that just because it's legal for you to make a backup doesn't mean they have to allow it. I completely understand your frustration - copy protection may sooner or later spell the death of several mediums. Itunes recently released a bunch of songs with no copy protection, presumably because they were losing sales due to frustrated customers like yourself.

Every CD I carry in my vehicles is a copy of the original. Usually as soon as I buy one I immediately burn a copy or two.

And while copyright law allows you to make a backup copy, the DMCA will slap you silly if you "break a technological measure" to do so...

Well, its spelled the end of myself, and thousands like me as a Sony customer. They want to play this game its not a problem and I vote with my wallet.