Legality of privately using pirated software

[asf]

Hi there

 

I saw somewhere here on the forum, someone posted a question asking, "If he is going to do that or that, and he will be pulled over in the airport, and they will randomly ask him to open his laptop to check for pirated software, will they see it's pirated?".

 

This got me thinking on a few things,

 

1. is there such a thing (pulling out randomly to check if you have pirated software),

 

2. If 1. is True could i resist? (ask for a search warrant),

 

3. What could happen if i use pirated software?,

 

that's what i remember now.

 

Thanks in advance

[shought]

Moved to the Software Chat (I understand this is privacy related, but it mainly concerns the possible consequences of using (illegal) software).

 

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This will largely depend on the jurisdiction you are in ;)

[Pequi]

All my "giveaway" software is registered to GiveawayoftheDay, Sharewareonsale, WindowsDeal, etc

Just lucky, I suppose. Would they bother checking ?

[tiliarou]

In airport ?? No way, security has other things to do than check for pirated software on laptop I think.

I've never heard a case like this nor was controlled about this in airports...

 

Only thing now is that they can ask you to check if the device is running, and if it can actually boot. This to check that you didn't replace the battery (or more) with explosives.

 

Maybe in the future DMCA will pay airports to check on this ? ;)

[software182]

if they really do that, they are wasting their time :dunno:

[vibranium]

This happens rarely, but it does happen. On a tip-off, laptops can be searched (even passwords are asked for) for stuff like child porn, espionage stuff. What happens if pirated material is spotted? Never heard of that situation before.

[digimon]

1 i doubt theyed pull you out for pirated software not unless they had a suspecion you where going to use the laptop to hack the airport or something or if you where acting suspicious etc

 

2 could you refuse without a warrant? yes you can they probably wont let you on the plane etc though

 

3 what would happen if you use pirated software? well the answer to that depends on who finds the software etc

 

for what its wroth purely from the DMCA perspective the only ones that are allowed to make claims for damages against you for pirating stuff is the company you stole it from so if your running pirated windows the only company that can legally press charges for it is Microsoft

 

and i highly doubt any company would wanna press charges on someone who had there laptop randomly searched for no reason that look bad

 

all this purely from the usa perspective of course most countrys have much more pro consumer laws on the books then the usa in most things "like canada has a cap on how much they can charge for piracy etc but the usa has no such cap"

[asf]

Thanks to all, you just calmed me down :)
 
I've been searching for the original quote, but can't seem to find it :( i remember that it was in a thread asking for Microsoft keys.

 

Here we go found it!! (Original post about airport genuinity check).

 

Ok, I got this question from a friend of mine. I know this might sound stupid but it gets me thinking too :P​
 
Can computers that are activated through skype get detected in the "software genuinity check" at the airports (those procedures where you got randomly selected and then asked to turn on your laptop and present it to the officials for software piracy check)?

 

[vibranium]

 

Here we go found it!! (Original post about airport genuinity check).

 

 (those procedures where you got randomly selected and then asked to turn on your laptop and present it to the officials for software piracy check)?

 

 

 

Never heard of this kind of check. In France and some other countries though, they might check for fake LV bags, that sort of thing.

[a4z]

The only thing might be crossing country borders.... 

I see you're from Canada, and your constitutional rights do not apply at the border crossings. Customs can do whatever they want essentially.

However, usually, they're just looking for child porn. Just don't keep copies of software on your computer and you'll definitely be fine. They're not going to spend time on installed software.

[VileTouch]

there could be a case that they have reasonable suspicion and they just want to stall you there for as long as possible.since kidnapping you at gunpoint looks bad, they could use any stupid reason...like a pirated winrar, or that you're the only one with a Raiders cap or a pink thawb, check for microbes in your beard, etc. is it illegal? yes, but considering that you are being watched from the moment you arrive at the airport/border/pier, chances are the guards in front of you were ordered to just keep you there... not that they want to waste time checking every license in your computer when there's 100 or more people in queue....or that it matters anyway.  i've seen pirated software in the most unusual places: banks, airports, government offices, attorney generals computers, police stations... so don't sweat it. if you are being stopped, paying a fine...or having everything in order for that matter, won't  let you go any faster, they will just move on to something else... like dna testing your underwear for missing people. just nod and wait.

[anga]

Seems unlikely that they will look for pirated software. But if they are suspicious, this can be a way to detain and question/search you.

[asf]

14 minutes ago, anga said:

Seems unlikely that they will look for pirated software. But if they are suspicious, this can be a way to detain and question/search you.

 

that's my question. Are they allowed to do that?

[anga]

^ Customs/security officers have virtually unlimited power to search -- they can search/do anything, short of physically cutting you open. I do not think they need a search warrant. I cannot quote rules, but I have come across customs destroying luggage during searches. Searching a laptop is well within their rights -- after all it is less invasive than body cavity searches. Not sure if they can force you to reveal your password -- not revealing passwords might in itself make them detain you or give you a hard time.

 

Installed software (pirated) in itself is not risky but like I said earlier, can provide an opening if you are under suspicion.

 

If you do not want to face any risk, I suggest backing up your installation, upload backup to a fast online storage and retrieve it once you cross borders. It is also a good idea not to carry pirated movies, music etc across borders.

[anga]

Here are specific examples

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/smartphone-laptop-searches-know-rights/

from a google search

www.google.com/search?q=airport laptop search

 

[asf]

4 minutes ago, anga said:

Here are specific examples

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/smartphone-laptop-searches-know-rights/

 

I read this through, but didn't see anywhere mentioned that they actually check on the software, only that the device is genuine that means that it's a real device not a b*mb disguised as a electronic device, maybe .

 

Also i highly doubt that a TSA agent knows how to even check if the software is genuine (do they even know anything? ), on second thought i think they will know how to check if windows is genuine, as we need internet explorer in order to check it, and i believe they don't know anything else than IE 

[anga]

^ What exactly are you looking for? There are no certain answers.

 

The point is, once they choose to search you, you are in trouble. The easiest to do is to check for illegal software. If you need specific info, consult a lawyer.

 

Summary: If you are risk-averse, do not fly with pirated software. The risk is quite low but it is present.