6 ms·

If Apple can put an authentication chip in a phone cable, what is stopping them to lock down macos? They don't want to do that.

INCOG_THE_TROLL 9y ago
It's easier to work around if it's a general purpose computer.
hbosch 9y ago
They have this in the form of a legal note, don't they? Last I heard it was technically "illegal" to run macOS on anything other than Apple hardware per the TOS. Or is that just an urban legend?
- abritinthebay 9y ago
  Not illegal, just against the EULA. Basically they could revoke your usage of the software and probably legally fine you. It is a software license issue. Technically it would be something like unlicensed distribution/copying. Practically speaking they don't care though. The machine building market is vanishingly small and the licensing gives Apple plausible "we never said it would work" deniability.
  - robhu 9y ago
    I think the illegal bit is using an illegal copy of their OS to install as you don't hold the copyright and so aren't allowed to make a (modified) copy of the installer that works on the non-Apple hardware.
    - abritinthebay 9y ago
      Potentially. Of course if you're just downloading a modified version then it's not you that modified it. It's a bit of a strange area. Either way - it's not illegal due to any specific thing Apple does. Other copyright/IP law may apply though.
      - robhu 9y ago
        I think downloading an illegal copy of something is still illegal though right? If I download a copy of a DVD for instance I've committed a crime in the UK at least. I agree it's not due to anything specific about Apple - it's just that it's an illegal copy as you are not the copyright holder and so have no right to make a modified copy or download a copy or modified copy.
        abritinthebay 9y ago
        > I think downloading an illegal copy of something is still illegal though right? Mostly not! Seeding a torrent however counts as distribution. Using the software is against the EULA on ToS usually though. It's kind of like how, back in the day, if you bought pirate software from a guy in a market they were the criminal, not you. Copyright law is mostly about infringement which requires distribution. It's how torrent sites stay (mostly) legal: they don't actually distribute the files (usually).
- frou_dh 9y ago
  Check out this bluntly named kernel extension that you'll find in any Mac by browsing System\ Information.app: http://i.imgur.com/K5rtC9z.png http://i.imgur.com/K5rtC9z.png
- vbezhenar 9y ago
  They'll pursue you, if you will build hackintoshes and sell them with pirate macOS. I've never heard that they were after individuals. I even think that in many countries Apple's EULA is not counted as law, so they don't even have legal reasons to fine anyone.

INCOG_THE_TROLL 9y ago

It's easier to work around if it's a general purpose computer.

hbosch 9y ago

They have this in the form of a legal note, don't they? Last I heard it was technically "illegal" to run macOS on anything other than Apple hardware per the TOS. Or is that just an urban legend?

abritinthebay 9y ago
Not illegal, just against the EULA. Basically they could revoke your usage of the software and probably legally fine you. It is a software license issue. Technically it would be something like unlicensed distribution/copying. Practically speaking they don't care though. The machine building market is vanishingly small and the licensing gives Apple plausible "we never said it would work" deniability.
- robhu 9y ago
  I think the illegal bit is using an illegal copy of their OS to install as you don't hold the copyright and so aren't allowed to make a (modified) copy of the installer that works on the non-Apple hardware.
  - abritinthebay 9y ago
    Potentially. Of course if you're just downloading a modified version then it's not you that modified it. It's a bit of a strange area. Either way - it's not illegal due to any specific thing Apple does. Other copyright/IP law may apply though.
    - robhu 9y ago
      I think downloading an illegal copy of something is still illegal though right? If I download a copy of a DVD for instance I've committed a crime in the UK at least. I agree it's not due to anything specific about Apple - it's just that it's an illegal copy as you are not the copyright holder and so have no right to make a modified copy or download a copy or modified copy.
      - abritinthebay 9y ago
        > I think downloading an illegal copy of something is still illegal though right? Mostly not! Seeding a torrent however counts as distribution. Using the software is against the EULA on ToS usually though. It's kind of like how, back in the day, if you bought pirate software from a guy in a market they were the criminal, not you. Copyright law is mostly about infringement which requires distribution. It's how torrent sites stay (mostly) legal: they don't actually distribute the files (usually).
frou_dh 9y ago
Check out this bluntly named kernel extension that you'll find in any Mac by browsing System\ Information.app: http://i.imgur.com/K5rtC9z.png http://i.imgur.com/K5rtC9z.png
vbezhenar 9y ago
They'll pursue you, if you will build hackintoshes and sell them with pirate macOS. I've never heard that they were after individuals. I even think that in many countries Apple's EULA is not counted as law, so they don't even have legal reasons to fine anyone.