12 ms·

You can make registration codes sound silly by calling them "magic numbers" all you'd like, but they're there to make sure things go according to their designer

by unalone 17y ago

You can make registration codes sound silly by calling them "magic numbers" all you'd like, but they're there to make sure things go according to their designer's plans. This isn't grey territory. It's not DRM, which inconveniences anybody. It's black-and-white. Apple sells you the DVD and lets you know up front it works with Macs and only Macs. They're so nice they don't even prevent you from installing one copy of a program on a hundred Macs. And their DVD doesn't work on a non-Mac, and you know this buying it. When you get the DVD with any other intention, you're buying it with false intent. You've agreed not to do what you're about to do.

ghshephard 17y ago
That's like suggesting that I could write some robotic surgery software and design it such that it would work only on certified surgery hardware. Oh, wait....
- jrockway 17y ago
  You can do that, just don't let people buy the install DVDs at Best Buy.
deleted 17y ago
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jrockway 17y ago
Re-purposing your own possessions is not illegal. I bought a "dining table" at IKEA, but I use it as a "computer desk". IKEA also sells "computer desks". Am I doing something illegal by not using it for the purpose they sold it to me for? Of course not. (What makes OS install DVDs so special?) Continuing with the analogy of tables, imagine there exists a set of tables and chairs and the table has special slots so that only approved chairs can slide under the table. You can use unapproved chairs, but they don't work very well, and don't slide under the table for storage. Is it a crime to saw off the things that prevent normal chairs from fitting under the table and reselling the table? So then why is it illegal when someone does the exact same thing but with software.
- GHFigs 17y ago
  Re-purposing your own possessions is not illegal. Mac OS X does not become your own posession just because you bought a copy on DVD. The DVD, however, is yours. If you want to re-purpose it as a coaster, go right ahead. I think you'll find Apple has no problem with that or any power to legal recourse to stop you if they do.
  - gloob 17y ago
    The software on the DVD is a physical property of the DVD, if you look at a low enough level. Repurposing the item based on that physical property, than than (e.g.) it's shape or weight, is the same thing, in principle.
    - pohl 17y ago
      ...but not in law. (in the relevant jurisdiction)
    - GHFigs 17y ago
      It is only the same if you throw out the extremely relevant difference that the software is under copyright. You do not hold the copyright on a book just because you own a copy of it made from ink on paper. Why do so many intelligent people not understand this?

by unalone 17y ago

ghshephard 17y ago

That's like suggesting that I could write some robotic surgery software and design it such that it would work only on certified surgery hardware. Oh, wait....

jrockway 17y ago
You can do that, just don't let people buy the install DVDs at Best Buy.

deleted 17y ago

[deleted]

jrockway 17y ago

Re-purposing your own possessions is not illegal. I bought a "dining table" at IKEA, but I use it as a "computer desk". IKEA also sells "computer desks". Am I doing something illegal by not using it for the purpose they sold it to me for? Of course not. (What makes OS install DVDs so special?) Continuing with the analogy of tables, imagine there exists a set of tables and chairs and the table has special slots so that only approved chairs can slide under the table. You can use unapproved chairs, but they don't work very well, and don't slide under the table for storage. Is it a crime to saw off the things that prevent normal chairs from fitting under the table and reselling the table? So then why is it illegal when someone does the exact same thing but with software.

GHFigs 17y ago
Re-purposing your own possessions is not illegal. Mac OS X does not become your own posession just because you bought a copy on DVD. The DVD, however, is yours. If you want to re-purpose it as a coaster, go right ahead. I think you'll find Apple has no problem with that or any power to legal recourse to stop you if they do.
- gloob 17y ago
  The software on the DVD is a physical property of the DVD, if you look at a low enough level. Repurposing the item based on that physical property, than than (e.g.) it's shape or weight, is the same thing, in principle.
  - pohl 17y ago
    ...but not in law. (in the relevant jurisdiction)
  - GHFigs 17y ago
    It is only the same if you throw out the extremely relevant difference that the software is under copyright. You do not hold the copyright on a book just because you own a copy of it made from ink on paper. Why do so many intelligent people not understand this?