กกกกกกกกกกกกกกกกกกกกกก YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE:

Hotline is not to be used for the exchange of information relating to software piracy ("Warez"). The exchange of commercial software is quite illegal.

The Software publishers Assoc. maintains a helpful web site devoted to the fight against piracy on the internet: <http://www.spa.org/piracy/iapc.htm>

In 1995 alone, worldwide software piracy losses are estimated at $13.1 billion! This means that companies are forced to raise prices to make up for lost income. It's a lose-lose situation for everyone.

Don't think that you can say "I'm not responsable for what's on this server". You are...

<http://www.spa.org/piracy/risk.htm>

As part of its educational efforts, SPA is providing the following  information to educate Internet users and server operators on how their  actions may be in violation of federal copyright law. These definitions  explain some of the different elements of copyright law and may be  easily applied to situations on the Internet. Following each legal  definition is a practical application in reference to Internet use. 

Direct Infringement 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Anyone who violates any of the exclusive rights of the copyright owner  [reproduction, adaptation, distribution to the public, public  performance, public display, rental for commercial advantage or  importation] is an infringer of the copyright or the right of the  author..." Section 501(a) of the Copyright Act. 

*	downloading software
*	uploading software
*	making software available for download
*	transmitting software files 

Indirect Infringement 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Contributory Infringement. Anyone who knows or should have known that he  or she is assisting, inducing or materially contributing to infringement  of any of the exclusive rights by another person is liable for  contributor infringement. 

*	posting of serial numbers
*	posting of cracker utilities
*	linking to FTP sites were software may be unlawfully obtained
*	informing others of FTP sites were software may be unlawfully obtained
*	aiding others in locating or using unauthorized software
*	supporting sites upon which the above information may be obtained
*	allowing sites where the above information may be obtained to exist on a  server 

Vicarious Liability for Infringement by Another Person. Anyone who has  the authority and ability to control another person who infringes any of  the exclusive rights and who derives a financial benefit therefrom, is  vicariously liable for the infringement of another person. 

*	ISPs who have warez or pirate sites on their system
*	ISPs who have pirates for customers
*	sys admins for newsgroups or IRC where pirate activity takes place 


HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST SW PIRACY! Report internet software piracy: <http://www.spa.org/piracy/ireport.htm> International SW Anti-Piracy Hotlines: <http://www.spa.org/piracy/inter/hotlines.htm> All source information is kept strictly confidential. All information is handled on a case by case basis to be determined by SPA.

Thank you for reading this long-winded post!
________________________________________
David Murphy ฅ Media Relations Director
        Hotline Communications
http://www.accesscom.com/~asailers/hotline