4 ms·

I'm not sure how it works now, but a few years ago it was illegal to use more than one copy of Windows in this way (provided that you already have a purchased c

I'm not sure how it works now, but a few years ago it was illegal to use more than one copy of Windows in this way (provided that you already have a purchased copy). If you wanted to have two instances, you had to purchase a second copy. I'm not sure what the relevant terms are for macOS now apart from the fact that in the old days VMware had an artificial block you need to remove in order to run Mac OS X. It would be interesting to know the current legal ramifications.

GeekyBear 5y ago
The old trick of buying an OEM copy of Windows (instead of paying full retail) when you were not an OEM building a computer to be sold to others was just as "illegal".
- detaro 5y ago
  That wasn't "illegal" at all in jurisdictions that recognize the first-sale doctrine for licenses (e.g. the EU)
  - GeekyBear 5y ago
    It violated the EULA. I don't recall anyone, including well known retailers selling the OEM version of Windows to home users, caring about it.
    - detaro 5y ago
      It violated a legally void clause of the EULA. Do you have a source that the VM-related restrictions are equally void?
BBC-vs-neolibs 5y ago
Was it illegal, or against a non-enforceable contract?
jeroenhd 5y ago
AFAIK you can use Windows unlicensed as long as you activate it after evaluation. You're right that you can only run one instance of a given Windows product code on a machine for long-time use, though. The last I heard about the macos situation is that virtualisation of macOS is allowed as long as you do it on Apple hardware that you have a license to run macOS on. You can run as many virtual machines on your mac as you want, as long as you've paid for the OS on your mac, which you can't buy separately anymore (making any restrictions on licenses a full ban on macOS VMs, which nobody wants). Perhaps you could buy additional licenses through second hand shops, depending on your jurisdiction. As for legal ramifications, I don't think either Microsoft or Apple will care if you use this for your personal projects. Don't try this as a business, though, because that's where the lawyers start caring. Legally, you'll probably be liable for a civil lawsuit from either Apple or Microsoft. I don't think it's actually considered a crime to run a copy of software without a license in most countries.
- my123 5y ago
  > You can run as many virtual machines on your mac as you want No, the EULA says: > (iii) to install, use and run up to two (2) additional copies or instances of the Apple Software within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer you own or control that is already running the Apple Software, for purposes of: (a) software development; (b) testing during software development; (c) using macOS Server; or (d) personal, non-commercial use.
  - kevincox 5y ago
    Interesting. I was always under the impression that you can run a macOS VM as long as it is on Apple hardware. But this says "that is already running the Apple Software". Does that mean Apple Hardware -> Linux -> macOS is not allowed? Or is it simply saying that all 3 copies must be on the same machine? So you can run Apple Hardware -> Linux -> macOS as your "primary copy" and two more macOS VMs on that same Apple Hardware?
    - jasomill 5y ago

GeekyBear 5y ago

The old trick of buying an OEM copy of Windows (instead of paying full retail) when you were not an OEM building a computer to be sold to others was just as "illegal".

detaro 5y ago
That wasn't "illegal" at all in jurisdictions that recognize the first-sale doctrine for licenses (e.g. the EU)
- GeekyBear 5y ago
  It violated the EULA. I don't recall anyone, including well known retailers selling the OEM version of Windows to home users, caring about it.
  - detaro 5y ago
    It violated a legally void clause of the EULA. Do you have a source that the VM-related restrictions are equally void?

BBC-vs-neolibs 5y ago

Was it illegal, or against a non-enforceable contract?

jeroenhd 5y ago

AFAIK you can use Windows unlicensed as long as you activate it after evaluation. You're right that you can only run one instance of a given Windows product code on a machine for long-time use, though. The last I heard about the macos situation is that virtualisation of macOS is allowed as long as you do it on Apple hardware that you have a license to run macOS on. You can run as many virtual machines on your mac as you want, as long as you've paid for the OS on your mac, which you can't buy separately anymore (making any restrictions on licenses a full ban on macOS VMs, which nobody wants). Perhaps you could buy additional licenses through second hand shops, depending on your jurisdiction. As for legal ramifications, I don't think either Microsoft or Apple will care if you use this for your personal projects. Don't try this as a business, though, because that's where the lawyers start caring. Legally, you'll probably be liable for a civil lawsuit from either Apple or Microsoft. I don't think it's actually considered a crime to run a copy of software without a license in most countries.

my123 5y ago
> You can run as many virtual machines on your mac as you want No, the EULA says: > (iii) to install, use and run up to two (2) additional copies or instances of the Apple Software within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer you own or control that is already running the Apple Software, for purposes of: (a) software development; (b) testing during software development; (c) using macOS Server; or (d) personal, non-commercial use.
- kevincox 5y ago
  Interesting. I was always under the impression that you can run a macOS VM as long as it is on Apple hardware. But this says "that is already running the Apple Software". Does that mean Apple Hardware -> Linux -> macOS is not allowed? Or is it simply saying that all 3 copies must be on the same machine? So you can run Apple Hardware -> Linux -> macOS as your "primary copy" and two more macOS VMs on that same Apple Hardware?
  - jasomill 5y ago