From: Ezra Shapiro On: Fido #371, ModiFido, San_Francisco..CA
To: All Sysops
Subject: Stolen software on your BBS!
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This is a serious warning. A product called "Program/Shift" in the form of
files named PSHIFT.LBR or PS.EXE and PSINST.EXE is being uploaded to BBS
systems around the country. THIS IS STOLEN SOFTWARE!!! Probably the nastiest
I've ever seen--the "author" took an early copy of Memory/Shift from North
American Business Systems, busted the copy protection, and patched in a
fictitious name and the banner "PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE." The code is identical
to the original. You'll know the spurious copy by a "(c) 1984 by Ali Mulsti"
and internal names of either "Flintstone" or "C. V. Dong."
     Bad news for 2 reasons:  First, the people at NABS, including the real
author, Jonathon More, are good guys who sell a decent program for a
reasonable sum. They're a small outfit who don't deserve to get ripped off.
Second, there are enough trigger-happy legislators, copy-protection freaks,
district attorneys, and such who are just looking for an opportunity to dump
on "hackers" and see BBS systems as dangerous. Here is an actual case of
pirated software being widely distributed by supposedly responsible
systems--what more could they ask for? If it's been uploaded to you, GET IT
OFF YOUR BOARD!!!
     I talked to Jim Buckley at NABS this morning, and they're aware of the
problem. They have no intention to go after sysops or BBS operators, but they
would like any information they can get on who's doing this, for obvious
reasons. You can call Jim at 314-534-7404 or write to him at NABS, 3840
Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
     This is a vicious piece of vandalism, designed to hurt both the software
firm AND THE BBS WORLD. A word to the wise. . . .
     --Ezra Shapiro
       West Coast Bureau Chief, BYTE Magazine, 415-362-4600
       Sysop, Fido # 371, San Francisco, 415-282-2366
       CIS: 75166,1223          MCI: eshapiro
PS>> I'm sending this as FidoMail to all inbound hosts on the nodelist; please
pass it along to others in your net, and any independent boards, Fido or
otherwise, that you call regularly. Thanks for the help! --ES
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