Err--I think you guys are reading too much into this. The license (to me, and IANAL), seems to indicate that the workstation cannot be used as a server unless you purchase server licenses. It strikes me that language very similar to this has been in the workstation products since NT4. I do, OTOH, think that the legal ramifications sounds quite far-reaching since the language is so broad.
-----Original Message----- From: owner-nanog@merit.edu [mailto:owner-nanog@merit.edu] On Behalf Of Richard Forno Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2002 9:22 AM To: brucewms@pacbell.net; Nanog (E-mail) Subject: Re: [OT]Microsoft makes networked software 'illegal' on XPunless you pay them...
That's funny.
Yet another case of someone - either a company through licensing and litigation, or a government through legislation - trying to effect both software quality.
Forget the fact that such tools may be exploitable - if you're a computer criminal, the fact you're violating a software license clause probably isn't going to deter you from your actions, much like how 'drug crimes using a gun' probably doesn't deter many drug criminals, either.
Instead of addressing the technical problem - eg, poor software development and flaws in how the software works - we're once again seeing it legislated/litigated away (I'm thinking of Adobe E-Reader, DeCSS, etc here). Talk about burying your head in the sand, which appears to be the status quo, even in today's environment of security hysteria where we 'need to do more'.
From what I see here in DC, nobody's REALLY interested in addressing security long term, as it will rock the boat too much; so we continue seeing little goofy ways to look like security is being addressed when in reality, security ISN'T being addressed.
rf infowarrior.org windows-free since 1999 :)
From: Bruce Williams <brucewms@pacbell.net> From
http://www.infoworld.com/articles/op/xml/02/03/18/020318oplivi ngston.xml
Microsoft's XP license agreement says, "Except as otherwise permitted by the NetMeeting, Remote Assistance, and Remote Desktop features described below, you may not use the Product to permit any Device to use, access, display, or run other executable software residing on the Workstation Computer, nor may you permit any Device to use, access, display, or run the Product or Product's user interface, unless the Device has a separate license for the Product."
I guess this improves security....
bye, Bruce Williams "Asking the wrong questions is the leading cause of wrong answers"