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Apple Settles with Tiger Leaker

Posted by Zonk on from the not-confidential dept.

The Hobo writes "CNet is carrying a story about Apple reaching a settlement with one of the Tiger leakers, 22-year-old Doug Steigerwald. The terms of the settlement were not released, but it was said that money will be paid to Apple. To quote Doug, 'As a member of Apple's Developer Connection program I received a pre-release version of Apple's Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' software, which I promised to keep confidential, instead, I disseminated it over the Internet, and thousands of unauthorized copies of Apple's software were illegally distributed to the public'"

4 of 349 comments (clear)

  1. Why should he be punished? by Trolling4Columbine · · Score: 0, Troll

    Apple lost nothing as a result of his actions. In fact, they got a lot of free exposure.

    And besides, we all know that there is nothing wrong with violating legal agreements when none of the involved parties is hurt.

    I mean, that's why it's OK to share and download copyrighted music, right?

    --
    Socialism: A feeling of discontent and resentment caused by a desire for the possessions or qualities of another.
    1. Re:Why should he be punished? by Aldric · · Score: 0, Troll

      So everyone on slashdot is automatically a person that downloads copyrighted music? Fuck off and troll somewhere else you ignorant wanker.

  2. Re:Apple, I hope you don't want any more of my mon by Hobophile · · Score: 0, Troll

    When the RIAA exercise their legal rights and haul pirates into court, they receive no end of criticism here on Slashdot for abusing grandmothers, children, poor college kids etc.

    When Apple does the same thing to a student, the Apple apologists trip over themselves in their haste to pillory the poor college kid that dared to provoke Apple's wrath. Then it seems the ones with mod points rush out to label any dissenting views as flamebait.

    I agree with the original poster. A financial settlement is way out of line. His admission of guilt is damning enough in terms of reducing future employment options. Demanding cash on top of that -- regardless of the amount -- is just abusing someone in an indefensible position.

    Nobody likes a bully.

  3. Re:Bravo by zardo · · Score: 0, Troll
    You incorporate the DRM into the software itself. Simple as that. If they have the capability to take the "non-disclosure" into their own hands, then they are obligated to. How many developers are there? 10,000? that is a pretty huge anonymous group of people on the inernet IMO. The guy was honest enough to use his real identity.

    And if someone breaks their software, that is certainly a violation of the law. Giving your buddy a copy of some software aught not be a crime unless you have to go out of your way to hack the softwares copy protection out. I could give my friend my copy of half-life but he would be using my license key, if he gave that out to everyone on the net, I can say goodbye to my license. Is valve software going to sick their lawyers on me for that? No. Thats how it should be.

    They aren't less evil than anyone who hires a bunch of intimidating lawyers rather than incorporate some SIMPLE, SIMPLE copy protection! Speaking of less evil, when is the last time Microsoft sued someone for installing their copy of windows on more than one machine? They even support pirated copies with service packs.

    It just sickens me that you are all saying "bravo apple! bravo! screw an honest guy over for a being a sucker!" See the people that should really be prosecuted don't get caught.