Is This Considered Piracy?

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Drummerbones

Drummerbones

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I friend has offered to give me a copy of some software to try out (eleminating the limitations of a crappy demo version that doesn't show you the full power of a program) with the understanding that if I like it I will go and purchase the software from the company. I am no pirate, so is this crossing the line or is it reasonable?
 
I would think so...once the copy is made and distributed to a third party, you are now pirating.
 
Technically you ARE (or would be) violating the liscence agreement for the software, but...

IF you actually buy the software within the timeframe of the demo the company provides, or uninstall the borrowed version if you decide not to buy it then I wouldn't call you a pirate. If that's how you actually do it you have *way* more integrity than many folks and I'd applaud. :)

So technically its crossing the legal line, but (just like going 59mph in a 55mph zone) I would also consider it reasonable. Just don't wait to buy it if you know you are going to use- its a *slippery* slope once you start using pirated stuff. No one's going to hold you to your integrity but yourself.

Just as an example- I took a job at a recording studio about 2 years ago. Nice Pro Tools rig with all the plugs you could imagine. Well, the OS 9 system crashed and because I'm the guy who maintains the computers... I proposed upgrading to OS 10 for stability and to upgrade to the latest version of Pro Tools. When I went to find all the registration info to upgrade the plugs to OS 10 versions... I discovered that 95% of the plugs were pirated.

When I went to the owner of the place to tell him that we had $40,000 of cracked software on the old system his jaw hit the floor. "What?! I *don't* steal things!!" It had all been installed by previous engineers and the owner never knew. Nor did he have the budget to replace them. So... we now have a stable system that runs the latest software, and a *very* bare-bones assortment of plugs. Some of the clients and engineers were a little pissed for a little while but what do you do?

Take care,
Chris
 
if he gives you a loan of the original disk, not a COPY of the disk the softwear is on, to try before you buy, that wouldn't be illegal, plus you wouldn't go to hell :D
 
If you loan someone a software plugin is that wrong or is it the same as loaning out a hardware compressor or FX unit?
 
Chris Shaeffer said:
No one's going to hold you to your integrity but yourself.
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That's exactly true and a great sentiment - it's just too bad that this particular ethic seems to be lost on the last 2 generations!
 
timboZ said:
If you loan someone a software plugin is that wrong or is it the same as loaning out a hardware compressor or FX unit?
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According to the software license... its wrong, unless your buddy uninstalls or is otherwise unable to use the plugin while you have it (like a hardware unit.)

Software is supposed to be like a book. You can lend it to a friend, but you can't read it at the same time. Only things like dongles (the iLok comes to mind) actually enforce this. Annoying, but as Bruce mentioned, 2 generations of shadey integrity have left software companies with fewer and fewer alternatives.

Take care,
Chris
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
That's exactly true and a great sentiment - it's just too bad that this particular ethic seems to be lost on the last 2 generations!
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As a member of one of the last 2 generations, I'm happy to inform you that not everyone has lost this ethic.
 
I am against steeling anything. The comparission to lending your buddy an FX box is a great one.However, how would we all feel if in the manual to our 1176 or Mackie console it stated that anyone that lets there friend borrow it is infringing on copyright laws? I feel if you lend someone something to checkout, that is cool. If they just plain keep it or copy it and never buy it ,get another friend. The whole reason companys have the " you cant copy,lend distribute" thing is so they can make more money. I'm fine with that however, sometimes company go a little nutty.
 
Drummerbones said:
I friend has offered to give me a copy of some software to try out (eleminating the limitations of a crappy demo version that doesn't show you the full power of a program) with the understanding that if I like it I will go and purchase the software from the company. I am no pirate, so is this crossing the line or is it reasonable?
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Yes it is pirating!

Especialy if you dressed like a pirate,with an eye patch,and dont forget the parrot.
 
why are you worried? if everybody said "yes" would you not do it?
 
There's no reason to pirate software because there are so many great programs available as FREEWARE on the net these days. Plus most software is reasonably affordable.

Plus companies like Digidesign bundle their hardware with some great plugins. The Digi002 comes with a strong package of software for free. Heck, a HD 3 system comes with a *TON* of great software.

Granted, we've still spent about 30k on plugins alone but it's worth it.
 
Why do I ask? Why do I worry? I could care less what people think, it's my own morals and the threat of a lawsuit I have to sleep with at night. I was just opening the discussion because I wasn't sure where the line was drawn. Personally, if I'm interested in the new Chevy S-10 (or whatever) I see no harm in taking my buddy's truck out for a spin before I chose to go buy it. Is it at all reasonable to spend hundreds of dollars on software that may not be what you're looking for? I say if someone loans out software, you try it, like it and buy it, there's no harm no foul. Demo versions SUCK, I don't care what anybody says about that. They don't allow you to see the full potential, and I've been burned before by buying software after trying the demo, only to find out that all the bells and whistles really WERE'NT there. However, if you try it, do like it, and then chose to not buy it yourself, you're a dill-hole. But that's just me...

You know, we've all been over this topic before so I probably should have kept it to myself to begin with. Moving on...
 
screw it..

in this case the end does justify the means.
you pirated software and you liked it so you bought it.. who cares?

if everyone were the change they wanted to see in the world or whatever.. and everyone did this.. software companies would not lose any money from this behaviour..

you're hurting nobody
you're supporting a software company you like.

everyone wins.

i do this with mp3s all the time.. i pirate em and if they don't suck i buy the CD.. if they do suck they're a waste of hard drive space and i delete em.. better that than pay money for a crappy CD i'm never going to listen to..

i don't care if anyone has a problem with it and you shouldn't either.
 
Matheon said:
i don't care if anyone has a problem with it and you shouldn't either.
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That's because you are a law-breaking sinner. SINNER!!! :D
 
middle ground

If I were to suggest a middle ground, it'd be to just convince your friend to let you use his DAW for a day or two - get a feel for the software. That way, there's no question.
 
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