rrwood@contact.uucp (roy wood) (01/10/91)
I recently asked why Apple hasn't challenged Gadgets by Small in court, and I also asked why no-one talks about copying the 128K Mac ROMs with an EPROM burner. Many thanks to those who replied, and I apologize that your replies were too numerous to make personal repsonses practical. In general, the replies I received are in agreement that Gadgets by Small (or whatever its previous incarnation was) has in fact been in touch with the folks at Apple, and some sort of deal was made such that G by S is free to market the Spectre so long as it can use only REAL Apple ROMs. Oh-- they also have to steer clear of infringing upon the Apple Macintosh trademark (no names like Mactari). Fine, right? Well, I'm not sure how the Spectre software can detect true ROMs vs EPROMS-- anyone want to help me out on that? As well, one person told me that someone had indeed been charged for distributing pirated Mac ROMs, which implies that someone has a use for the things... It was nice to hear everyone point out that duplicating the ROMs is an intolerable act of piracy, and that they didn't mind the slight expense of legal ROMs. -Roy Wood
time@tbomb.ice.com (Tim Endres) (01/10/91)
In article <1991Jan9.234940.23698@contact.uucp>, rrwood@contact.uucp (roy wood) writes: > It was nice to hear everyone point out that duplicating the ROMs is > an intolerable act of piracy, and that they didn't mind the slight > expense of legal ROMs. And considering the "enormous" value of the software on these ROMs compared to something like MSWord or MacPaint, I think it is very easy for users to justify paying for them. But then, how many pay for MacPaint? :) tim. ------------------------------------------------------------- Tim Endres | time@ice.com ICE Engineering | uupsi!ice.com!time 8840 Main Street | Whitmore Lake MI. 48189 | (313) 449 8288
treesh@ircsun1.helios.nd.edu (01/11/91)
There is one big problem with this setup Apple has made, and it will probabaly result in a lot of rom copying going on. Apple has reciently put a crack-down on mac roms. There is now, no how, totaly impossible to get them now. You can not buy them from delears, simply because the delears can no longer order them for stock. The parts polocy has changed, and all mac roms are now EXCHANGE ONLY! Failure to send back an exact rom for one thats orderd results in a $500 sur charge to the delear per rom! I know this because I am a apple service technician, it used to be possible to order most any mac rom for $40 each, but now they are exchange only, no stock! ctfm
sethcohn@alchemy.tcnet.ithaca.ny.us (seth cohn) (01/14/91)
treesh@ircsun1.helios.nd.edu () writes: > There is one big problem with this setup Apple has made, and it will probabal > result in a lot of rom copying going on. Apple has reciently put a crack-dow > on mac roms. There is now, no how, totaly impossible to get them now. You > can not buy them from delears, simply because the delears can no longer order > them for stock. The parts polocy has changed, and all mac roms are now EXCHA > > Failure to send back an exact rom for one thats orderd results in a $500 > sur charge to the delear per rom! > > I know this because I am a apple service technician, it used to be possible t > order most any mac rom for $40 each, but now they are exchange only, no stock > > ctfm > I second that!!!! Roms are now unorderable from apple Seth - another apple service tech Seth Cohn - Ithaca NY - POB 671 - (607)273-2815 (eves) Mac Service Tech to The Stars and most major Planets The Highest Form Of Service Is Anarchy In The Defense Of The Self
dsmall@well.sf.ca.us (David Small) (01/16/91)
(The preceding notes are on the discussion of Mac 128 ROMs, Apple, etc.) Roy, though many people have said so, Apple has never "cut a deal" with Gadgets. Apple did send one letter to my old outfit saying not to call the unit Mac Cartridge, as they owned rights to the word "Mac", not to sell ROMS, and something I cannot recall that was minor. We agreed and told them so. Back then and now, we have never sold ROMs nor called it Mac anything. My guess would be that it isn't worth Apple's time to stop something that probably has a net not-very-much effect on their sales. Heck, I've sold many a Mac system to users who couldn't wait for 300 dpi lasering and stuff. Is it such a terrible thing for Atari users to be exposed to the Mac OS? Seems like the greatest ad in the world and it's worked many times. Many people buy Spectre GCR these days to be sure they'll get something out of the ST hardware investment -- "doorstop insurance", as well. Yes, the Spectre cartridge can detect EPROMs plugged into it, but I wish to keep quiet about how, since it might allow the technically inclined to bypass it. Some people have said "foo" to this and said EPROMS work, but I *do* wonder about their crash rate. I just wanted to set the record straight re: agreements with Apple. -- thanks, Dave / Gadgets /