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From: dmt@mtunb.UUCP (Dave Tutelman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Program rentals - an invitation to piracy?
Message-ID: <800@mtunb.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 13-Dec-86 14:18:06 EST
Article-I.D.: mtunb.800
Posted: Sat Dec 13 14:18:06 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 16-Dec-86 02:09:36 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Information Systems - Lincroft, NJ
Lines: 53


I just received a flyer in the mail that looks like an invitation to
software piracy.  Thought I'd post this, at least for amusement value.
I'll quote it in appropriate places; please note that I'm not 
deliberately quoting out of context, but trying to give a sense of the context.

The BIG PRINT says "IBM SOFTWARE    $10/Disk".  They give an 800-number and
claim to take credit card and COD offers.  Then comes the list of software.
All three pages of fine print.  Includes such goodies as;
	Lotus 123 V2.0
	Microsoft C v.3
	IBM Macro Assembler V.2.0
	COPYIIPC	(the gods DO have a sense of humor)
	Turbo Pascal V3.0
	Word Perfect
You get the idea.  I looked for almost no expensive (or otherwise) package
without finding it.

Then they offered the SPECIALS!  Get 10 and get another 10 free.  Order by
Dec 13 and get $20 off.  (That adds up to $4 per disk.)

A single sheet tucked in the back indicated what was REALLY going on.
The disks are "for rent".  Suddenly, the SOFTSAVE CATALOG talked about in
the flyer becomes "The Softsave Preview Club".  You are not supposed to
keep the disks beyond 21 days.  However, the usual burglar tools (like
COPYIIPC) aren't needed to violate the agreement. In fact, violation is
passive and undetected; NOT pirating the software requires more effort.
"Members are not inconvenienced by having to return the rented software
to the club.  They are simply asked to erase the software on their own
before expiration of the 21 day rental period."

"We do not provide documentation.  However, in many cases the ... manuals
are not required.  The most popular ... programs are represented by many
books available in computer/book stores.  These books generally explain
the operation of the programs better than the original documentation."

Softsave takes two steps in the direction of preventing prosecution:
   1.	They request you to mail in a signed form that says, in part,
	"The member expressly agrees that the member's sole purpose in
	renting the software is for preview prior to purchasing....
	agrees to erase or destroy all rented software within 21 days
	of each rental."
   2.	They have located outside the US borders.

Yes, I know they've done nothing illegal.  (I am not sure of the legality
of rental of software, or of the agreements they may have with the software
manufacturers; I am simply assuming their own business is legal.  That in
itself may well be contrary to fact.)  They are paying lip service to
the notion that their customers do nothing illegal either.  But one feels
a big wink behind every warning in the mailing.

Happy holidays!
				Dave Tutelman