Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft DOS => Topic started by: helper on July 24, 2008, 02:01:33 PM
-
I've stumbled across this link: [link removed] , but i cant tell; is it REALLY MS-DOS 7.10 or is it a look-a-like? I downloaded the ISO, burned it to disk, and installed it, and it seemed to me like the authentic MS-DOS, but during installation it said something to the tune of: "Under the GNU free license." And if it really is MS-DOS, then why didn't it look like a pirate site?
P.S. The computer at home doesn't have internet connection currently, so i am at a public computer.
-
"Under the GNU free license."
Maybe some software bundled with this is covered by the GNU license, but Microsoft MS-DOS is most definitely NOT.
And if it really is MS-DOS, then why didn't it look like a pirate site?
What does a pirate site "look like"? ::)
From the install.bat in the ISO...
print Welcome to MS-DOS 7.10 Installation CD.
print (C)Copyright Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999.
That should be clear enough.
You have downloaded copyright material, just as surely as if it was Vista. You should destroy all disks and remove all illegal software from your computer.
And edit your post to remove the link. Definitely.
-
It is a copy of genuine MS-Dos 7.1 which is the Dos version in Windows 98. Wengier Wu and his team at the China Dos Union extracted it from Win.98 some years ago and made it available free for download on the CDU site which, unfortunately, was closed but not before many downloads. MS has never, to my knowledge, released MS-Dos 7 in any version and some Dos enthusiasts deny its existence to this day. Wengier Wu released some add-ons and stand-alone MS-Dos 7.1 has been enjoyed by Dos enthusiasts worldwide.
I agree with Dias in that MS-Dos 7.1 is still copyright to MS, whether you follow his suggestions to dispose of it is on your conscience. Posting the link is probably a breach of the CH rules.
Good luck
-
Well keep in mind that DOS whether MS-DOS, IBMDOS, Caldera or whatever version is loosely based on UNIX, so seeing a version with a GNU license might not be that unreasonable
-
erobby, there are "free" members of the DOS family, but MS-DOS isn't one of them.
-
yes that I know just stating that DOS or more CPM is based off UNIX. Just as UNIX was originally free companies decided to license it jus as they do with LINUX or anyother OS
-
Even so, he states that he ran the install, and therefore would have seen this message, as I already stated:
Welcome to MS-DOS 7.10 Installation CD.
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999.
-
This does seem to be copyrighted material and posting a link to it is against CH rules.
I will go ahead and remove the link since you are currently offline.
Don't worry, I'm sure it was an honest mistake. ;)
-
Even so, he states that he ran the install, and therefore would have seen this message, as I already stated:
Welcome to MS-DOS 7.10 Installation CD.
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999.
Oh come on! That could mean ANYTHING! ;)
-
maybe they use that as their cover so people think its the real deal.
-
It's the standard install.bat that MS put on the floppy set.
-
i dont know. but since the copyright is gone on this it maybe pirated
-
the copyright is gone on this
I'm not sure what you mean. The copyright on Windows 98, MS-DOS and other Microsoft products is in full force.
-
i dont know. but since the copyright is gone on this it maybe pirated
I don't have time for a drawn out explanation, but in short, There is no such thing as "legal abandonware", anyway.
-
oh. usually i thought that Copyrights go on for a few years and then you have to pay to extend the copyright.
-
This is governed by statutory section 17 USC 302. According to this section, a work that is created (fixed in tangible form for the first time) on or after January 1, 1978 is ordinarily given a term enduring for the author's life, plus an additional 70 years after the author's death. In the case of "a joint work" prepared by two or more authors that was not a "work made for hire," the term lasts for 70 years after the last surviving author's death. For works made for hire, and for anonymous and pseudonymous works (unless the author's identity is revealed in Copyright Office records), the duration of copyright will be 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.
Basically, the copyright still exists, and will exist long after most of us have died.
Since laws do change from time to time, different copyrights will expire at different times. Here's a good chart which explains:
http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain/ (http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain/)
-
thanks quaxo
-
Helper hasn't been back.
-
maybe another hit n run poster.
-
Quaxo cited US law, and I want to point out that US law does not, and thankfully will not, apply outside the United States. However, most countries have copyright laws of some sort.
-
Canada's for example, is nice and verbose.
http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/info/act-e.html#rid-33810
-
maybe another hit n run poster.
Sorry I've been gone for 3 days, but as i said in my first post, but the computer at home doesn't have internet connection, and so I'm using a public computer at the local library.
-
sorry for the false accusation