alanj@ibmpcug.co.uk (Alan Jay) (12/20/89)
> From: Martin Ward <martin@EASBY.DURHAM.AC.UK> > > I feel that I should point out that the effects of this disk are > entirely in accordance with the standard warrenty used by most > commercial software developers Though most of them don't blatently say "if you don't I will destroy you." (see below) > (the ones which disclaim that the > programs are fit for any purpose at all, that XXX will disclaims all > responsibility for any damage or loss caused etc.) This is the kind that implies that if by mistake I do something that causes a problem tuff (in the US I believe several companies are trying to reclaim money caused by losses resulting from bugs in spreadsheet software). > Either these > warrenties are ILLEGAL or the perpetrators of this disk are entirely > within their legal rights to do what they have done. Does anyone (eg a > lawyer) know which is the case? Martin's point is interesting but worse still the warranty and license agreement sent out with the AIDS Infromation Disk specifically state that: "Warning: Do not use these programs if you are not prepared to pay for them'' and "..program mechanismis will adversely affect other program applications...'' and "..faliure to abide by this license......your conscience may haunt you for the rest of your life ....... your microcomputer will stop functioning normally." Generally if you read the license agreement you would NOT use the program. The legallity of the license is questionable but probably no more so than the comercial one described by Martin. At one time several reputable software companies were rumered to have been contemplating using a copy protection scheme that would have caused damage and data loss if the program was illegally copied. Luckily for us Software houses went the opposite way to a non copy protected world. Maybe this is nothing more than a copy protection scheme that isn't quite as good as it is supposed to be -- it has bugs that cause it to go off sooner than the anticipated 90days after installation. An antidote to the two known phases of the program mechanism has already been written and is available from our BBS (+44 1 863 6646) and from the PC Business World (Tel: +44 831 9252). We are only speculating that the program does other detrimental things to your system until they are seen the programs effects appear to be reversable. Whatever the reason behind this mailing it sould only warn people to remind ALL users not to use and disk sent to them, especially if it is unsollicited. Alan Jay PS If any users have installed the AIDS program then I can mail them the antidote for it. Please mail me with your requests.