[hackerspaces] Software Licensing

[Samantha Atkins]

On Nov 11, 2009, at 11:05 AM, tetsu yatsu wrote:

> Thanks for the responses.  Any thoughts on Virtual Machines?
>

A VM is a special case.  It could contain legally clean or not so  
clean software.  But it is arguably just a virtual from of a separate  
computer.  Maybe keep it clear who owns that VM if it has proprietary  
stuff (not hackerspace itself as owner)?

> On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 1:38 PM, tetsu yatsu <tetsuharu at gmail.com>  
> wrote:
> Members and non-members are asking that we get proprietary software  
> on our systems, like Adobe CS3, Windows XP, and OSX.  I've actually  
> been exclusively using open-source software the past few years, and  
> didn't really consider that someone would want to run these things.
>
> Naturally, they feel that being a 'hacker'space, we have no concept  
> of intellectual property and have no problems stealing software and  
> installing pirated, potentially infected software on our lab  
> computers.  But, being a nonprofit, we are going to get audited at  
> some point, and I wouldn't want a bunch of bootleg installs of  
> Windows to ruin our message.
>
> Likewise, a lot of people try to offer us pirated software and MSDN  
> access. (Is it legal to share MSDN access? Shouldn't we just get our  
> own MSDN account?)
>
> So far, I'm considering a policy where we only install software we  
> have valid licenses for on lab computers, hopefully with a non- 
> profit discount, but members may run whatever they want on their own  
> machines they bring in since the space is not liable.
>
>
>
> I know some of you are very supportive of changes in intellectual  
> property laws, but those of us following the laws until then, any  
> advice?
>
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