03-25-2009, 11:33 AM

A friend of mine was telling me about this person he works with that has a newer MacBook Pro and claims to have over $10,000 in pirated software (CS4, Office, Windows XP etc) on it's hard-drive. If they went to an Apple store for a warranty issue would this be a problem? Would the person get into trouble? Thanks.

03-25-2009, 12:24 PM

I love the old friend of a friend story, it never gets old! People stealing software should be ashamed of themselves. If it is someone else why is it an issue for you to worry about?

03-25-2009, 12:32 PM

If it feels wrong enough that you're worried about others noticing it, then what does it matter if there are consequences? If it's wrong, it's wrong. It shouldn't matter if anyone else notices.

What ever happened to morals?

03-25-2009, 01:23 PM

Please. Give us a little credit here. How dumb do you think we are?

03-25-2009, 02:21 PM

kind of funny considering the op's own listed mac specs

03-25-2009, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Nethfel

kind of funny considering the op's own listed mac specs

That is funny. I didn't notice that until you posted.

03-25-2009, 02:32 PM

Well if Apple took it and found out what he had done, he could be prosecuted and taken to jail for stealing an Operating System. That is one of the worst things somebody could illegally copy!

03-25-2009, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Macintosh

Well if Apple took it and found out what he had done, he could be prosecuted and taken to jail for stealing an Operating System. That is one of the worst things somebody could illegally copy!

He claims to have a MacBook Pro, which comes with the OS. How would he be stealing it?

03-25-2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Macintosh

Well if Apple took it and found out what he had done, he could be prosecuted and taken to jail for stealing an Operating System. That is one of the worst things somebody could illegally copy!

Piracy is piracy, plain and simple. The OS doesn't necessarily carry more criminal weight than other software. As noted above, the computer does come with an OS so that is probably not even the issue here.

03-25-2009, 02:51 PM

First of all, thanks for judging me. I'm not the one pirating anything here, I am adamantly against it actually and hope that this person DOES get what's coming to them if they are in fact illegally pirating software. I was just asking if anyone had a clue about the outcome of such a service visit with pirated software on their system, that's all... I wasn't asking to be flamed here guys, Jesus. I though a forum was for the exchange of ideas and a place to safely ask questions.

03-25-2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

What ever happened to morals?

Those disappeared from proper social conduct and the English lexicon along with politeness and chivalry a while ago. You can thank my generation for that (not me though).

Originally Posted by BostonApple

First of all, thanks for judging me. I'm not the one pirating anything here, I am adamantly against it actually and hope that this person DOES get what's coming to them if they are in fact illegally pirating software. I was just asking if anyone had a clue about the outcome of such a service visit with pirated software on their system, that's all... I wasn't asking to be flamed here guys, Jesus. I though a forum was for the exchange of ideas and a place to safely ask questions.

Fair enough. That said, why do you care if the person were to get caught? Also, how would the technician be able to tell without serious investigation, which I'm sure would be construed as a blatant disregard for that individuals right to privacy (this may be a jurisdictional difference though)?

03-25-2009, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by BostonApple

First of all, thanks for judging me. I'm not the one pirating anything here, I am adamantly against it actually and hope that this person DOES get what's coming to them if they are in fact illegally pirating software. I was just asking if anyone had a clue about the outcome of such a service visit with pirated software on their system, that's all... I wasn't asking to be flamed here guys, Jesus. I though a forum was for the exchange of ideas and a place to safely ask questions.

My point is that it doesn't matter either way. A criminal act is wrong regardless of whether someone gets caught. If your friend is really worried about it, then maybe he should remove the pirated software and then he won't have to.

Regardless, there are plenty of ways to get fingered for pirating software. Companies like Microsoft and others even have toll-free hotlines that offer rewards for turning in pirates. Additionally, many programs "phone home" to tell the company what license you're using. Bottom line is that if your friend is running $10K in pirated software, the Genius Bar should be the least of his/her concerns.

03-25-2009, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by vansmith

Those disappeared from proper social conduct and the English lexicon along with politeness and chivalry a while ago. You can thank my generation for that (not me though).

Fair enough. That said, why do you care if the person were to get caught? Also, how would the technician be able to tell without serious investigation, which I'm sure would be construed as a blatant disregard for that individuals right to privacy (this may be a jurisdictional difference though)?

It's not so much that I care, as I am interested. When I was told about this I thought to myself "I wonder what would happen if that person ever had to have repair work done" and began to question why someone would view the pirated software as being worth more than their warranty, thats all. I can see how my questions wording may make me look suspect here, but I assure you I am a law abiding, tax-paying citizen!

03-25-2009, 03:13 PM

With all that said, how about some humor to lighten up the mood a bit!

I wonder if Apple would care if his Windows was pirated after all Steve Balmer has said against Apple of late!

I think that is what the poster meant by OS, Windows.

Just a joke by the way. I am very against stealing of any kind.

A Tip for your friend, zap the pirated software if he takes it to Apple. Also after he gets it back from Apple, PAY FOR THE SOFTWARE and then reinstall.

03-25-2009, 06:09 PM

I've heard this concern before and I've heard that Apple does not take any legal action; they might remove the software though. Apple has a legal obligation to take action against some offenses, but software piracy is not one. But as already stated, if you like the software support the companies by buying their software.