Is Eyetech pirating the A1200 Magic Pack software?

[Tomas]

are you suggesting that laws and morality should NOT apply to Amiga Inc and partners?

no no, that is not what i am saying. What i am saying is that this is now only a rumour... Why would eyetech do such a thing? Sure, if it turns out to be true... then i agree, this is wrong. But as it seems now, it seems to be just a rumour put out just to hurt Amiga and its partners.

If some other copany bundled for example this products with their hardware, i doubt anyone would have doubted that this company had the rights to do so.

I guess we will see soon, when you have get reply.

I personally think they have their licenses in order.

[Snuden]

FarQuad wrote:

Maybe someone should contact Scala, Paul Nolan (Photogenics) and the Wordworth people about the fact that their software is being distributed without their knowledge?  I'm sure they'd welcome a new license, or the money from the distribution.

Maybe someone should mind his own ####ing (edited by admin) business, instead of sticking his nose into stuff he doesn't know anything about. Stop spreading FUD.

Eyetech are professionel people and I have no doubt that everything is as it should be.

[Warface]

It's just a vague guess, but checking this page a possible explanation came to my mind. The original AmigaONE was an A1200+AmigaONE mobo fitted together, so the Magic Pack was intended for the A1200.

Now, there is 2 possible scenario: A., in the long time passed by they have obtained a new license, B., in the long time, pressure they had endured, they've just forgot it. When the AmigaONE project started all licences were all right.

I don't see intentional wrongdoing even in the latter case.

[Targhan]

@Snuden

I think you should stop whining, and pay attention.  The question was brought up, and now Wayne is just following up on it.  It is a very valid question.  If you don't think it is of public intrest, then follow the series of POSSIBLE events that I will lay out for you.

1. Eyetech gives away the Magic Pack with A1.
2. Paul Nolon, 21'st Century entertainmenet, ect don't care.
3. Suddenly, Unisys gets word that AmigaONE is shipping with unpaid gif loaders/savers.
4. They contact cloanto and/or paul nolan, and suddenly Eyetech is sued out of existance.

Gee.  That would really suck.  All because of a GIF loader/saver.

And before you think I'm wierd, let me say this.  Paul Nolan, Cloanto, etc, likely don't care that their ANCIENT software is getting shoved into this deal (likely, not 100%), but I promise you Unisys is quite dangerous about .gif!!!

Targhan wrote:
@Snuden

I think you should stop whining, and pay attention.  The question was brought up, and now Wayne is just following up on it.  It is a very valid question.  If you don't think it is of public intrest, then follow the series of POSSIBLE events that I will lay out for you.

1. Eyetech gives away the Magic Pack with A1.
2. Paul Nolon, 21'st Century entertainmenet, ect don't care.
3. Suddenly, Unisys gets word that AmigaONE is shipping with unpaid gif loaders/savers.
4. They contact cloanto and/or paul nolan, and suddenly Eyetech is sued out of existance.

Gee.  That would really suck.  All because of a GIF loader/saver.

And before you think I'm wierd, let me say this.  Paul Nolan, Cloanto, etc, likely don't care that their ANCIENT software is getting shoved into this deal (likely, not 100%), but I promise you Unisys is quite dangerous about .gif!!!

The Unisys patent on GIF has run out as far as I am aware.

[Tomas]

I just cant see why you people just start speculating about this... for all you know, eyetech have all the licenses in order...

If it was pegasos that was bundled with this software, im sure there would be no buzz about this... But just cause its eyetech, they gotta be criminals? I bet if this was infact pegasos and someone would bring this question up, you guys would protect them..

[redrumloa]

I don't see intentional wrongdoing even in the latter case.

I don't either. I don't think, or at least I hope, no one is implying blatant piracy. It may very well be fine and dandy. OTOH if it turns out they were only licensed for the A1200 because of a special bundle deal AND the original author responds that he does not want it distributed any other way, then Eyetech would have to respond.

[Targhan]

@mdma

The Unisys patent on GIF has run out as far as I am aware.

That is good news, but Cloanto recently uploaded the latest version of PPaint to Aminet.  Again, they did so without the GIF loader/saver.  Also, remember the Unisys patent isn't technically called GIF.  It is the LZW (LZH?) archivial routines within the loader/saver for gif images.

In my honest opinion, I *really* hope they have a licence for this, because I would LOVE to purchase a MagicPack on a CD with the documents in PDF format!  Oh yeah! Much easier than all the hoops I would have to jump through to get it onto any of my systems now. (My 1200's drive is wierd, Amithlon has a PC floppy drive, same on my Pegasos, etc)

[redrumloa]

I bet if this was infact pegasos and someone would bring this question up, you guys would protect them..

Thomas, please do not go this route. There is no need to make this a blue vs red fight.

[kgrach]

Actually I asked Eyetech back in March I believe why they included only 3.1 and not 3.5 or 3.9 with the Amigaone bundle and the answer was "We don't have the license to include those.

Hmm a Wayne shouldn't you have asked Eyetech too?

Farquad serious alligations but purely speculative You make statements as if fact. When all you have is wishful thinking.

[redrumloa]

Hmm a Wayne shouldn't you have asked Eyetech too?

Already did.

[DamienMcKenna]

Microsoft has been known to sue people over doing things like that, selling software under new terms that was covered under a specific license.  Most OEM deals (which is what the MagicPack was) forbid selling outside of the original license, you'd have a better chance passing Jeff Minter through the eye of a needle

Damien

Guys?

Don't get me in the middle of this.  FarQuad (not me, so stop whining at me in PM) made a valid observation, and raised a legitimate question..  I am asking the software authors about the status of their licenses for the Magic Pack software which is being distributed on the AmigaOne (a wholly different machine than originally licensed for).  I have not asked Eyetech, because like other things, I believe Eyetech is innocent here and they've been sold a bill of goods.  Remember, the license for the Magic Pack was with COMMODORE* (and perhaps AT), not Amiga Inc.  Amiga Inc licensed the trademarks, they do not automatically inherit licenses between third party software makers.

Until that point, I am just waiting on their responses.  There is absolutely no reason for this to become yet another red versus blue troll fight.  Software piracy is illegal, no matter who is doing it.

(* = see clarification below - edited)

[DamienMcKenna]

it was fun but you're taking it too seriously.

You might consider that for the people who slaved away writing the software that was included in the bundle, for many it was business, and in business you follow certain rules or you get sued.  This isn't the playground where you just run off and sulk (or break their nose, which ever you prefer) if someone breaks the rules, if a person, business or other legal entity breaks the law then you are entitled to recrimination.

Damien

[Targhan]

@Wayne

The licence was with Amiga Technologies GMbH, i.e. Escom.  I have the "user end" licence right here.

@Targhan,

Thank you for the clarification...  I stand corrected on the originators of the Magic Pack.  I was, in fact, working to verify that when you responded.

Wayne