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Microsoft Pirating Their Own Software?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the piracy-is-eeeeeeeevilllll dept.

14ghz writes "Microsoft gave out copies of .NET Visual Studio Pro to attendees of the Microsoft .NET Student Tour. Despite the discs saying "UNLICENSED SOFTWARE -- Illegal without separate license from Microsoft", the freebie didn't contain any license document, and one guy decided to ask the MS conference rep about it. Read the in-progress story."

25 of 469 comments (clear)

  1. New business plan by Transient0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe they've just decided to give out illegal copies of their software to everyone they can and then sue them over it. It's easier than getting them to trudge all the way down to the store and fork out a hundred bucks willingly.

    --
    lysergically yours
    1. Re:New business plan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      1. Hand out "free" software with "illegal to use" printed on it
      2. Sue everybody who uses it
      3. Profit!!

      Now we finally know what #2 was

  2. EULA's! Get your EULA's! by Fjornir · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...onna disc, they're lovely! EULA's, c'mon, getchore EULA's!

    --
    I want a new world. I think this one is broken.
  3. not illegal, just license free!!!! by AmigaAvenger · · Score: 5, Funny

    start uploading those things!!! It is in writing that there is no license for those. Your typical license says, among a bunch of other stuff, no copying, distributing... Hence, no license, distribute all you want! Free as in beer!!!

  4. Yes, Microsoft is pirating their own software. . . by Fritz+Benwalla · · Score: 4, Funny

    And Linux is going to make a credible challenge as a desktop operating system.

    And my Mom will eventually know that FreeBSD is not Unix.

    And Hillary Rosen will be discovered with a 10,000 song library on a Kazaa SuperNode in her basement and get sued for ten trillin quadrillion dollars.

    Then there will finally be peace on Slashdot, and it will be converted into hotornot2.com

    We can only pray.

    ------

    --

    Believe me, I'm as surprised by my comment as you are.
  5. In other news: by mrpuffypants · · Score: 5, Funny

    Some guy in my dorm must work for microsoft too. He gives out copies of everything that microsoft makes on CD for free. All the programs have names like Verbatim, Memorex, and CenDyne.

    I've never heard of those programs, but they work for typing up term papers really well!

  6. in other words by geekoid · · Score: 3, Funny

    Man stops MS from giving away there software.
    when asked, the person replied "well its obvious? I'm a pendantic ass".

    well there you have it...

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    1. Re:in other words by TeknoHog · · Score: 4, Funny
      > "I'm a pendantic ass"

      That's pedantic. Sorry. Didn't mean to nitpick or anything.

      --
      Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.
    2. Re:in other words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      The world needs fewer pedantic people.

  7. Amen by frovingslosh · · Score: 4, Funny
    IT'S A TRAP.

    Absolutely. Now Microsoft has a list of people who they can audit and definately find that they are using illegal unlicencesed software. A claim that someone at M$ told you that pirating was OK is hardly going to be a defense.

    --
    I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
  8. Re:Yes, Microsoft is pirating their own software. by Jester998 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Slashdot...will be converted into hotornot2.com"

    Hopefully few (if any) of the members of the current site will be allowed to post on the new one...

  9. Re:Not pirated by GnarlyNome · · Score: 2, Funny

    My Head Hurts! this is a new high for M$ I have always considered them more of a pain in the Butt

    --
    Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
  10. Re:I havent installed MS Software for ages but... by shepd · · Score: 3, Funny

    >And delete the software with a very good deleter utility before they bribe the cops to come with a search warrant.

    I reccomend a mix of microwave and grinder.

    --
    If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
  11. I would by Artifex · · Score: 4, Funny
    BTW... I wouldn't install that POS "development suite" if *they* paid *me*.


    I'm unemployed, you insensitive clod! :)

    No, really. I'd install it all day on lots computers. Later, if they paid me enough, I might even support the IDE for it.

    --
    Get off my launchpad!
    1. Re:I would by evilviper · · Score: 2, Funny
      I'm unemployed, you insensitive clod! :)

      Hey! My name is Clod, you insensitive Artifex!
      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
  12. Re:Not pirated by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    What was that key, by the way? I lost the sleeve of my copy that I, uh, also got from one of those events...yeah, that's it. (c:

  13. Re:Discretionary licensing by Joey7F · · Score: 2, Funny

    I got it for an intro level C++ class, and it works well! Though, it is sometimes hard to justify the cost, the fact that it keeps track of parenthesis by bolding its compliment is worth the cost alone.

    Also it is nice to see a list of functions for structures and classes etc.

    --Joey

  14. Re:Discretionary licensing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Not even if you put Steve Ballmer's buttprint on it.

  15. Re:Sasha is probably NOT an employee of Microsoft by I-R-Baboon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Good call!

    Bet the headers might show not even a Manpower employee or mail server...

    --
    -1 Overrated (Too many big words for me to comprehend)
  16. This proves just one thing by Ciderx · · Score: 1, Funny

    Every person called Lance needs to be punched extremely hard in the face.

  17. Re:Discretionary licensing by TKinias · · Score: 4, Funny

    scripsit Joey7F:

    Though if you printed out the emails, wouldn't that be sufficient proof?

    Clack, clack, clack...

    Date: Fri, 04 Apr 2003 11:23:03 -0700
    From: John Doe <v-jdoe@microsoft.com>
    To: tkinias@spamme.com
    Subject: RE: Licenses
    X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19)

    Sure, amigo, go ahead an install XP on as many boxes as you like. I talked to Bill and he says it's fine.

    -jd

    -----Original Message-----
    From: tkinias@spamme.com
    Sent: Friday, April 04, 2003 11:13 AM
    To: John Doe
    Subject: Licenses

    Hey, I've got this copy of an XP install CD that says it's illegal without a license. Can I install it on my computer?

    I'll just print that out and I'm fine, huh?

    --
    In principio creauit Linus Linucem.
  18. Already In Violation by devnullkac · · Score: 3, Funny

    Poor Lance is already in violation of the restrictions on the media they gave him... he made an illegal copy and posted it on the Internet.

    --
    What do you mean they cut the power? How can they cut the power, man? They're animals!
  19. Anyone notice... by terradyn · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sasha's last response went like this:

    Hi Lance
    I am going to forward your request to my managers. Please stay tuned, I will get back at you ASAP.

    Sounds like he's gonna sic the ms lawyers on you for messing with him. =)

  20. In other news by Billly+Gates · · Score: 2, Funny

    RMS was caught pirating his own GNU software at a tradeshow.

    --
    http://saveie6.com/
  21. Re:Not pirated by ubugly2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    M1CR0-S0F71-54WU5-5YID1-OT5HA