School Drama and Needing Suggestions

[TheProphet2213]

Ok, so im kinda tech savy and this kid at my school got a copy of windows vista ultimate and he comes up saying dude look! and he had like 50 copies burned, and he said he got it from his brother who works as a server administrator or something and says that his brother showed him how to make them "genuine" copies, and is going around at my school selling them for $20's, and he came up to myself asking twice do i want to buy one, and its a $600 program, i said no and im curious, should i go and report him to the Police Liaison at my school for copyright infringement or something?

Please give me suggestions on what i should do with this situation, i mean sure i hate microsoft but i dont like seeing a developers hard work being suckered out.

[obscurehero]

woah!

If I understand right... definitely report him. Depending on how well you know him, at least warn him what he's doing is VERY wrong.

Its one thing, and its wrong, to get a copy of an illegal software... but its another thing ENTIRELY to sell that copy. WOW!

Report him.

[TheProphet2213]

u understand it right.

[thedeadlyassassin]

I remembering letting an Ipod go in College, that's a 200 dollar or so piece of crap equipment. This is definently illegal. Report him ASAP.

[mapes]

You should report him for being stupid. Actually I wouldn't report him cause the MS will screw over his family however...I would mention he is being less thaqn discret and maybe he should stop! that way some asshat dosn't get his life ruined and MS can keep thier money

[Rovey Wade]

You should report him for being stupid.

No kidding. Selling pirated versions of software from one of the biggest corporations in the US.... :|

[killa_zn]

You should report him for being stupid.

No kidding. Selling pirated versions of software from one of the biggest corporations in the US.... :|

one of the biggest? hes gonna get so f***ed that!...
well... nvm..

[obscurehero]

after i got a warning for downloading battlestar galactica season 1...

I changed my pants (I was in a cold sweat for three days!)...

then proceeded to not download anything copyright protected again.

Bad reason to stop... but hey, I stopped.

Sometimes you have to learn the hard way how stupid you're being.

[Rovey Wade]

after i got a warning for downloading battlestar galactica season 1...

That's interesting. Who warned you?

[jaspurr]

Surely they are useless copies as all software needs online verification, especially when you update them. My PC required genuine software verification before I could do an update and as it was all genuine it was not aproblem. I also installed the software on my laptop and it would not let me update it, infact I am sure some programmes have dissapeared, though that's probably my stupidity rather than MS interference.

[PandaGod]

Uhhh no

[juneau]

I'd report him to the head of the school. But hope they don't get any outside parties involved. Seems like he is a runner for his brother, so he should be the one to get blamed.

[Runaway_Jim]

I would report him to the school as well, but wouldn't go any higher up the food chain. Hopefully, school administration would scare the pants off of him enough to realize how much trouble he could get in without bringing litigation and law suits against him and his whole family.

M$ would take him and all his relatives to the cleaners for something that could be corrected by the school. Generally, I've never really seen firms go after the casual pirate that is using software without intent to sell to 3rd parties, but they -will- send their attack dogs (which I hear are 10x worse than a Bknight3 tagging rampage :) ) if they get the scent that you are selling their material.

Report him and stay clear.

[Premonition]

Not to sound bad... but thats a fast way to get the fbi knocking on your door.

MS will come after people are selling copies and exspecialy school copies. Recently ms made a huge attack on schools because they donated vista for school computers. which people pirated and began selling.

Needless to say... id stay away from him... Doing crap like that will get you on the news and some new silver bracelets :shock:

[Alley_Viper]

First i'd report him for actually trying to sell me a copy (because i'm cheap), and second for being an idiot. And yes, they do take those reports seriously. More than they used to.

[LIMEY]

I do not condone what this kid is doing and he/his brother need to be reported, but you may want to do it anonymously, his brother could come after you or something not good.

[gti420]

i bet microsofts webpage has something you can fill out. Personally, I think he's stupid for trying to sell them. If he was giving them away that's a different story ... either way it won't have genuine advantage and will be lame for those who install it anyway.

[jaspurr]

Maybe a quiet word with him in private. I don't condone what he is doing but does he really understand the significance of his actions, probably not. Once the authorities get involved he will have to carry that record with him for the rest of his life, and I don't imagine it would be too bright with such a history. Everyone makes mistakes, help him rectify them before they are permanent :2thumbs:

[omfg karl marx]

Personally, I'd just look the other way. Microsoft isn't losing any product, all they are losing is a potential sale and even that is unlikely. Most people don't buy an OS for their existing computer, they just get the new one with their new system. If anything, people will see how poorly their system runs Vista, reinstall XP, or buy a new computer from big box mart and Microsoft gets their fair share from the windows tax.

[{CLR} Major.Massacre]

Maybe a quiet word with him in private. I don't condone what he is doing but does he really understand the significance of his actions, probably not. Once the authorities get involved he will have to carry that record with him for the rest of his life, and I don't imagine it would be too bright with such a history. Everyone makes mistakes, help him rectify them before they are permanent :2thumbs:+ 1 well said jaspurr.

[Premonition]

I do not condone what this kid is doing and he/his brother need to be reported, but you may want to do it anonymously, his brother could come after you or something not good.


Yeah... might wanna be weary of trying to tell on him. One you might get supena (or what ever they are called) to court. Not to mention revenge is a powerful motive. Your best bet is probably just avoid him. when he doesl get caught, he should have no reason to blame you.

[Master_Chief_Alpha]

If you want to live the rest of your high school days as a rat, then report him.

my two cents.

I vote "no."

I never had any issues with anyone when minding my own business.

Karma will get him in the end.

[L_Mo]

Report him if you like... it is technically against the rules. However, no one likes a rat and no one is really being hurt by his actions... he is just trying to make a quick buck.

[TheProphet2213]

a quick buck that is highly illegal, i mean come on guys actually spent five to six years trying to develop it and sure, i doubt it will hurt them finanically but i mean come on this is rediculous, im just gonna say dude, stop if you were one of the programmers would you like to be suckered out of your hard work and effort? least thats what ithink i should say.

[{CLR} Naillik]

If he is doing this purposefully and knows what he is doing and will not stop, I'd say get the head of the school or the police. I tried selling those toys that came with Cheerio boxes when I was 8. My teacher scared me :flee:

[mapes]

a quick buck that is highly illegal, i mean come on guys actually spent five to six years trying to develop it and sure, i doubt it will hurt them finanically but i mean come on this is rediculous, im just gonna say dude, stop if you were one of the programmers would you like to be suckered out of your hard work and effort? least thats what ithink i should say.

Prophet I agree with MCA. The possible outcome of you reporting him is

1. Your labeled a rat for the rest of your HS life. HS sucks enuff as it is...don't make it worse.

2. He and or his brother/family can get sued by M$. Costing tons of money in legal settlment fees.

3. Black mark on is record.

4. M$ may loose money in the short term but, people will prolly buy a M$ OS later on and therefore he is creating a customer base for M$.


my .02$

[Minerva]

Maybe a quiet word with him in private. I don't condone what he is doing but does he really understand the significance of his actions, probably not. Once the authorities get involved he will have to carry that record with him for the rest of his life, and I don't imagine it would be too bright with such a history. Everyone makes mistakes, help him rectify them before they are permanent :2thumbs:

I agree with you.

[Devilguns]

I voted no as well.

First off he's stupid for selling something no one really needs. I mean jeez, kids must be more nerdy than now than when I went to school if a hot OS is worth soliciting. Back in circa 1988 if you tried to solicit an OS you would have been the subject of public ridicule and most definately a wedgie.


Seriously, if he sells all fifty copies or even more, how many do you think will actually get installed? Even if every one does install it, how many will regret doing it. Either their system won't be able run it well or eventually they'll get locked out in a service pack. Just let nature take it's course on this one.

[obscurehero]

mmm...

How bout a nice hardy synthesis of all the advice. Don't go to the Feds, but do talk to him first.

Then, if he still continues go to the administration of your school. As far as you're concerned, the buck stops there. Just make sure to be as kind and humble about it as possible.

Good luck!

[unorignal]

Blackmail, hes got to be making money from the people who are buying the copies.

Thats what would be best for you.
All kidding aside do what makes you sleep good at night

[Murphy420]

I'm :| that 14 people say they woun't report this. People like that i would punch in the face 4 real :slap: :hit: Burning a back up copy 4 you'r self is 1 thing but going around selling them is 100% WRONG!!!!!!!

[alpha]

I'm :| that 14 people say they woun't report this. People like that i would punch in the face 4 real :slap: :hit: Burning a back up copy 4 you'r self is 1 thing but going around selling them is 100% WRONG!!!!!!!

its not whether its right or wrong, most people here will agree its wrong. Its a matter of which course of action will be best. If prophet can warn the guy and make him stop making illegal copies, then thats basically problem solved. Punishments are to deter people from doing crimes in the first place, then once they do them, to deter them from doing them again. The fear of getting caught didn't stop him in the first place, so if you can correct his actions without all the legal hassle, and convince him not to do it again, thats good enough. The hassle that it will put his family through (since he's under 18 ) could be tremendous, so why go through all that when a quiet word may stop the problem.

On the other hand, I am very much against illegal software, you won't find a single p2p/torrent program on my computer, everything is 100% legal. So I think for the sake of all of us that pay for our software, this guy should be stopped.