Answer Truthfully Now...

[LoadWB]

DVDFab is using the ffmpeg library without proper compliance with the ffmpeg license.

Issue 382: DVDFab Decrypter Platinum fails to provide source and licensing information - FFmpeg issue tracker
https://roundup.ffmpeg.org/issue382

I have had multiple copies of Miami running -- I owned a single key, but was unable to purchase new keys.  Recently I picked up a machine with MiamiDX on it and use it now, instead, on my 4000D.  I have Miami still running on an A500+ and my A1200 but will purchase the new TCP/IP stack when it comes available.  My A2000 and 3000 run Genesis from their OS3.9 CDs -- all of my installations of which are properly licensed. (Do I want a cookie?  No, just fact.)

All of my commercial software installations are legit.  I have a Microsoft Action Pack Subscription as a registered partner, so I have 10 copies of each OS, Office, server installations, and a lot of other software.  I do my best to maintain proper licensing, but Microsoft does not make it easy (you can get four different answers from four of its own licensing people.)

As for WinZip, why not use 7-Zip?

And I absolutely refuse to accept the notion that past transgressions make present or future admonitions invalid.  I pirated the shit out of Commodore 64 software because I was a kid and really had no concept of what copyright protection was about (irrespective of "Don't Copy That Floppy.")  I attended a lot of "swap parties" and came home with some really great stuff, and at one time in my life I had access to a network which allowed me to "call out" of nodes in other countries, Germany in particular, to access BBSs for even more goodies.

When I bought my first Amiga in 1992 it came with a collection of pirated games, of which the ones I played and wanted to keep I was able to buy at some point as by this time I had better knowledge and understanding.  I even irritated some of my PC compatriots for berating them for pirating games just because "they're too expensive."

Did I do wrong?  Absolutely.  Have I learned?  Most definitely.  Do I still have a moral ground upon which to stand?  Well, I guess that depends upon someone's own morals.  In a way, by finding an obedience to the law I have "found Jesus."  

So I suppose someone else's morals may be more concrete and strict, or perhaps relativistic.  I cannot repay my youthful transgressions monetarily to those against whom I have trespassed, but I can pay my debt to society by ensuring that my knowledge and understanding of those actions are passed on.

[LoadWB]

The most humorous part about the comparison is that it's meant to scare or guilt people into not copying software; however, the punishment for copying software is several orders of magnitude worse than the punishment for shoplifting. If you want a "free" game, your best bet is to shoplift. Worst case, you'll pay a small fine and have a misdemeanor on your record. If you copy the game, however, you could end up paying $150,000 per copy, spend a few years in jail, get gang raped, and lose your right to vote.

I could walk into Best Buy, grab a game from the game aisle, batter clerks on my way out the door, and face less punishment than if I were to download a game.  Truly off-balanced, IMHO.

[LoadWB]

Finally...speaking, again, strictly for the PC, there's plenty of free apps out there, so much so that honestly there's no reason to pirate other than to say "Ha ha, I got a free copy".

That is something I get tired of myself.  There seems to be a social esteem in a statement like, I have the entire $1200 Adobe Creative Suite without paying a dime!  As if that is supposed to be impressive.  I find the mentality akin to haggling with a prostitute.  (Oh, God, I hope that does not start up a whole new discussion:roflmao:)  As opposed to to opposite end of the spectrum, using the statement, I use a software suite which cost $1000 to do my work, for esteem bolstering.

[DiskDoctor]

For some time now, I have no copyright violating software at my home.

However I have a few pirated mp3s or DivXes because the law in my country allows downloading pirated works from the internet (except for the said software).  I find it quite silly but until someone changes it, I am free to download music and videos (which I'm not actually doing anyway).

After I graduated PG studies on intellectual property, I should not violate the said law.  Then, I would turn silly and all my claims too so no more.

[Cool_amigaN]

I got as a family gift my first computer (A500) when I was 8 years old. It was dedicated to be used by me and only, since no one else in the family had an interest into computing. Given my age, the luck of interest from my parents to computers and the fact that it was almost impossible to obtain legal apps/games here in Greece, beginning of 1990 to 1995, because simply they didn't exist, I couldn't afford/persuade my parents to buy me any software I wanted to use (first years games, later on apps).

Now, although I have a very big collection, other than wb1.3 disks and 3.9 CD for my sexy A1200 I bought several years later, I regret to say that I don't have almost any legal app.

Early 2000 and on, where I could get money more easier, I tried to buy many games and apps. Unfortunately it was impossible to track down stock legal apps/games on all of the Greek local stores I looked for.

Now, I have my own job for the last 2 years. Being economically independent, means that finally I am buying whatever I want! First thing was to support companies still existing in Amiga market. Bought a Sam and register most of the apps I am able to afford (I don't use any illegal software and I haven't even searched for it). My next step will probably be buying a MacMini and Mos in order to help those chaps too.

On a side note, and I would want some comments from users, from small countries with sporadically developed computing industry, could you find legal apps for your Amiga? Here, as I already told, it was nearly impossible! The stores didn't even brought/import them! Needless to say, that in 2004, when I was still a university student in a small town in North Greece, I couldn't even find commercial games for my Dreamcast and I had to rely on shitty copies when I had the money to obtain the damn games!

[Einstein]

Edit. Didn't realize it was amiga related discussion, pitty...

[djrikki]

For me it depends on the software company involved.  If they are a multi-million dollar company like say *cough* Adobe.. I will quite happily look for a torrent much like the next person.  If its a small company who charges a reasonable fee for software or asks for donations I am more than likely to part with cash.

I am in fact atm struggling to find a free application for Mac OS X that allows the user to record the screen.  I refuse to pay for this privilege as it should be something that comes with the OS.  I have come across several applications that love to splatter output on top of the video with words like Demo Version etc....  so annoying.

[mahen]

Hmm, I replied no. It used to be the case but not anymore. Just using free software (linux) + indie games I actually bought. Dropped emulators as well, so I guess I'm clean.

(It's not true regarding mp3s, although I bought a big % of them)

[zylesea]

I probably have some old copied stuff on some old hdd, but I don't use it. I only use free or purchased software on regular basis. And I don't see that too dogmatic but rather pragmatic (especially in this little market): it is about give and take. For sparse use I think a copy *may* be justifiable. But for intensive use a purchase is mandatory.

[stefcep2]

All my Amiga OS's are legal:  OS 3.1, 3.5,3.9; Amiga productivity software I use frequently is legal: Cinema 4D, MakeCD, Wordworth 7 Office, Scala DPaint Brilliance PPaint, Ibrowse 2.4, Clarissa

I still have a tonne of other pirated amiga stuff but I hardly use it:  Photogenics, ImageFx, MiamiDX

I have NO legal amiga games, but TBH I hardly play them, except for Deluxe Pacman and Deluxe Galaga.

Win XP, Win 7,  Office 2003 all legal, but a MS employee gave them to me with licence keys for free.  

A copy of Cinema 4d 5 for PC i got off a magazine and I use it a lot more than a pirated copy of C4D v 10.  Tons of emulators with pirated roms, but I have the originals (SNES, N64, PSone) as well which I prefer, mostly.

My net and email stuff is on Ubuntu exclusively, and thats all free.

My rule is if i use it regularly I'll buy it.

[ElPolloDiabl]

Some of those big (meaning expensive) apps are not really for the home user to afford, they're for businesses that charge +$1000 bucks an hour for their services. So you stick in the muds reckon that people should fork out $1500 for a program they may only use for a few hours a month?

For me after being stung by some junk software and of course the constant upgrade cycle, I now download demo or if not available a pirate version to "try before I buy"
Even just recently I bought the digital version of Civ test of time, but 'shock' it's a cut down version (no cinematics, buggy). Instead of waiting for a remedy I just downloaded the pirated disc version. The owner still gets his cut and I have a full bug free version of the game.

[T3000]

hmmm... and then what Franko, ya gonna turn everyone one in for a reward?    

Not paying is akin to theft.
Pirating is the act of reproducing, repackaging and distribution of unathorized materials or goods for profit.

DLing a cracked piece of software through a bit torrent is knowingly receiving stolen property. Most of the time the hacked software either does not work properly or is loaded with somekind of virus. Adobe products are way overpriced for the average user to keep forking out big $ for upgrades. Same with the "Professional level" graphics packages. I do like to try the software before laying out a wad of hard earned cash for an over priced program. If it's something that I will use on a daily basis and is worth the investment, it will be purchased through legitimate channels.

I purchased through EBay a copy of a hard to find book on the NewTek Flyer. Only this wasn't an original legit paper copy, but a scanned reproduction on a DVD. Concidering that I hadn't seen the original item come up very often and when it did the seller wanted way too much for it I opted to purchased the bootlegged copy. Still thought it was too much to pay, but I really needed the book.   ...and of course, a few weeks later, a decent priced hard copy was listed for less $ what I had payed for the bootlegged version.

[Franko]

hmmm... and then what Franko, ya gonna turn everyone one in for a reward?  

Id have to turn myself in first, cos I was the first one to answer with a big fat YES...

(Wonder if there's a reward for grassing on myself... Hmmm... )

[KThunder]

I didn't read every post in this thread so shoot me down If this has been asked before but isn't the poll title flawed?

 "Do you Currently Use Any Copyrighted Software That Haven't Actually Paid For... "

Most opensource and freeware software is copyrighted but you don't pay for it. And oem os copies are paid for by the oem not you, so technically you are using copyrighted software someone else paid for.

     I use emulators for games from the nes to the n64 or so era. Most of the games I own original copies of but some I don't. If there was a way to give the original publisher money for many of these games I probably would.
     For a long time I didn't do that, but it's really kinda pointless, not playing a game you have the rom and emulator for simply because it hasn't been sold in 20 years and the publisher has no interest in doing anything with it.

[klx300r]

...there's a few I must admit:(

[motrucker]

The way you worded the poll I had to answer yes. BUT, even though I did'nt pay for a couple of Windows programs I use, they are perfectly legal. They were given to me by some one with enough clout to give away the odd program if they see fit. Chalked off as promotional gift from the publisher.