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Is it legal to sell free software?

Discussion in 'All other topics' started by ilash100, Aug 3, 2003.

  1. ilash100

    ilash100 Member

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    Someone on E Bay is SELLING Smartripper, e-mailing it to the highest bidder, therefor NO overhead. Is this legal? If it is, I'm next! What a goldmine. (He recently got $51 for it!)
     
  2. powerdup

    powerdup Regular member

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    Im not sure about the legal issues but it sounds smart.

    I feel sorry for the people that fork over the money for smartripper or other free software without checking the web for more info about it.
     
  3. Prisoner

    Prisoner Guest

    Depends on the agreement. A lot of programs in that blurb that no one reads and says accept to for instalation, state if it is ok to sell, trade or give to others. It might be protected in that mannner, but someone who developed Smartripper should see this. They should get a share if any money is made.
     
  4. Oriphus

    Oriphus Senior member

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    Illegal. Smart Ripper is copyrighted.
     
  5. powerdup

    powerdup Regular member

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    Well that's that.
    I hope whoever is doing this gets caught.
     
  6. Oriphus

    Oriphus Senior member

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    Yeah, its not a bad idea, but its a pure rip-off of a product. Its like the people who sell DVD's on Ebay for £5. Its most obviously a copy, yet Ebay do nothing!!
     
  7. ilash100

    ilash100 Member

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    From E Bay's legal page:

    Downloadable Media Policy

    eBay prohibits the listing of items or products to be delivered electronically through the Internet.

    Examples
    Here are examples of items that may not be listed on eBay because of the downloadable media policy:
    A copy of a software program which the successful high bidder can download from your Web site.
    Music or video files that you will deliver through a peer to peer file-sharing community or network.
    A copy of a downloadable eBook.
    A secret URL address where the high bidder can download "freeware" or "shareware" software programs.

    Guideline
    If you are the copyright owner of the downloadable material that you are listing on eBay, make sure you say so in your listing!

    Anti-Circumvention Policy
    Do not list any hardware or software that would enable users to "rip" or otherwise make unauthorized copies of copy-protected video games, software programs, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or CDs.

    eBay Guideline:
    Encouraging the use of devices or software designed to defeat copy-protection measures is also not allowed on eBay.

    Examples:
    DVD ripping software that enables you to copy "copy-protected" DVDs is not allowed on eBay.
    CD ripping software that enables you to copy "uncopyable" video games, software programs, or other CD-ROMs is not allowed on eBay.
    A book on how to copy any DVD is not permitted on eBay.
    Warning:
    Listings violating eBay's anti-circumvention policy may be ended early by eBay. Multiple violations of eBay's anti-circumvention policy could result in the suspension of your account.

    Here's one of his listings: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3040130976&category=32864
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2003
  8. powerdup

    powerdup Regular member

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    Well, All i can say is nice flaming header!

    But in all seriousness, why doesnt Ebay do anything about this person? Can someone make a complaint about him/her?
     
  9. lannigan

    lannigan Regular member

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    Smart ripper has a disiclaimer when you first run it saying, don't use it unless you live in a country where there is no law regarding decrypting dvd's or something.

    This guy must be very dumb or borderline retarded.
     
  10. powerdup

    powerdup Regular member

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    Either that or he has no respect for rules or guidelines.
     
  11. Prisoner

    Prisoner Guest

    Well this person is about to be nominated for Darwin of Computers award. If your going to break the rules, don't be so obvious. I wonder how many people and how many other web forms are talking about this? So this will coffee talk in the office place, Some one so stupid....
     
  12. Oriphus

    Oriphus Senior member

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    I dont think its him thats stupid. Its the people who are buying it that im laughing at lol
     

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