There is no violation.That's an interesting distinction.
Using a 3rd party cracker to stop communication with MS is definitely a violation of the EULA, which might have some legal ramifications (tho I'd agree no ethical ones)
Not legally; not morally (though, yes, you do yours, i do mine).
The overarching principle is that I paid full retail. Actually, several times. It's mine. So if a panel comes up with a bunch of outlandish claims, then I, and I alone, decide what that panel means. I decided it meant nothing and was nullified. I decided I agree to nothing because MY words (having purchased them) mean nothing on that panel because I said so.
While I haven't had this discussion with MS, I have with Autodesk (parent of AutoCad). They're not as big, but their lawyers talk just as tough. But it's all talk.
I agree, mostly. Buy it. If you don't buy it, you're a despicable pirate. That much is simple and we are totally in agreement, there.However, if you didn't also buy a license to the OS, then it's piracy.
But I didn't buy a license - that's their talk - I bought a COPY. They offered a copy through their Authorized Reseller and I gave them the price they asked. Nothing shady. But I bought a copy, not a license, no matter what the program boots up with.
That's been my (successful) stance: I signed no license nor any agreement beforehand. If they simply decide I did, their case has no merit. If "everyone knows it", then that is a poor legal stance.
Yes, I realize this is swimming upstream. I understand that a huge campus with a thousand seats couldn't get away with this (as easily). I understand this has been "through the courts".
But I equally understand that one user in a million understand what's ACTUALLY been "through the courts" and what's actually been set as legal precedent. Even the (very angry) lawyers on the other end of several registered letters couldn't answer specifics.
So for purposes of not angering mods, it's probably useful to clarify "my friend Larry gave me this software that blocks callbacks to MS. If they're uncooperative about recognizing your already valid and bought license key, you can use that."
I have no desire to anger anyone, but I do know that this subject is often the source of emotional and passionate discussion, generally by bystanders.
Further, I'm not getting away with anything, nor am i getting something for nothing (a principle I abhor). I simply customize my software how and when I wish to the level I'm able. With AutoCad, it was a bunch of icons, commands, and shortcuts (that a field engineer noticed). With MS, it's their involvement with my continued usage.
I don't sell it, copy it, or post it. I just do it.
Didn't wanna become the focus of this thread. I have several stories on this subject that are probably left for another place and time.