[MrTangent]

Okay, I have an interesting question to the Mac community:

Currently I only have one Macintosh (an older B&W G3) that I have running Mac OS 9.2.2 and Mac OS 10.1 on. I am going to be buying an iBook or Titanium Powerbook in the very near future, and then after that probably a new G4 (or G5, if it ever comes out) PowerMac.

My question is this:

What does the general Mac community (and Apple) think of someone who buys one copy of the latest OS and then puts it on multiple machines?

I make barely enough money to buy the machines and software I buy now. Does Apple endorse or tolerate people, like me, who have a few personally owned Macs in their home and who buy one copy of Mac OS and put it on multiple machines?
Surely Apple wouldn't insist that people like myself would have to buy several copies of the same software for each system we own (I know this is how Microcrap, erm, soft, operates a lot of the time).

Furthermore, if I put Jaguar on multiple machines (with the original single purchased copy) will there be any problems with the automatic Apple Software Update?

Thanks in advance, as always.

[Nobody]

I think someone mentioned previously that Apple's policy mentions single USER, not single COMPUTER, in its licensing. If that's the case, I don't think there would be a problem putting it on both machines, as most people rarely use two machines at the same time. Others might know with more certainty.

[Nobody]

Practically, you shouldn't have any trouble installing, using, or updating OS X on multiple machines. Legally, I think a single copy entitles you to a single user licence, allowing you to install it on any computers you own, although i'm not entirely sure. In any case, I wouldn't worry about installing it on multiple computers. Even if Apple's licence says only one computer, I seriously doubt Apple legal will come knocking on your door.

[Nobody]

quote:

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I am going to be buying an iBook or Titanium Powerbook in the very near future, and then after that probably a new G4 (or G5, if it ever comes out) PowerMac.

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Depending on how long you wait to purchase these computers, then you should not need to worry about purchasing multiple copies of Jaguar. I don't know when, but I would guess that within a month of its release, Apple will start shipping Jaguar installed on its new computer. Even if you can't wait for the Jaguar equipped computers to work their way through the system, you will still be able to get the upgrade for only $20 through Apple's Up-To-Date program.

[AppleLaw]

Glenn is right.

If you buy those Macs in the future, they will have Jaguar preinstalled.

If you buy those Macs sometime between now and August 24 (Jaguar release date), you will qualify for the $20 Up-to-Date program.

Either way, you're covered.

[Nobody]

Allow me to be the one to speak the great evil: Apple doesn't do anything to prevent you from installing their OS on as many machines as you'd like, so you're free to do it whether it's legal or not.

Now for me, this simply inspires me to be a better citizen about it, and while I will install various OSeseses on the several machines I own, I will not install them on machines for friends, etc. Seriously.

I also don't balk at paying $70 (ed price) for 10.2.

In my mind, when I buy a piece of software, I buy it as a single user who will use the thing on whatever machine I need to use it on. Again, that may not be the legal understanding, but to me, it seems the proper one. For instance, I refuse to pay $400 (again, ed price) for two copies of M$ Office just for the privilege of running it on my Ti Book and desktop simultaneously.

[wally626]

Apple does restrict the OS distribution to some extent. In the past the OS CD that shipped with the computer worked only with that model of computer not others. I don't think they are doing that with OS X yet, but i'm sure in the near future they will.

The retail versions of the software have not had this restriction.

[wally626]

The OS X 10.1 licence does say that the software can be installed and used on only one computer at a time. Back-ups are permitted.

[AppleLaw]

quote:

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For instance, I refuse to pay $400 (again, ed price) for two copies of M$ Office just for the privilege of running it on my Ti Book and desktop simultaneously.

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That's actually a moot point, because the Microsoft Office EULA allows users to install and use Office on their desktop and portable computers. The only limitation occurs when both the desktop and the portable are on the same network at the same time. In that case, Office doesn't allow you to run it simultanesouly on both machines.

The point, however, is that you don't need to buy two copies of Office just to install it on one desktop and one portable.

[Nobody]

Yossarian,

You're right about Office, of course. It is a hassle though becuase my Ti and desktop are running on AirPort, and that's enough to get into trouble if two copies of Office are open at one. So even if I'm not USING it on my desktop, if Word is open, I can't open it on the Ti.

And of course there are ways around this, too, just like there are for most every copy protection scheme.

But that's neither here nor there.

I just don't see the reason to pay twice for a copy or Dreamweaver either. Or Fireworks. Or Illustrator.

[AppleLaw]

Oh, I hear ya, A.C., and totally understand what you're trying to say.

I think that, as more and more users purchase multiple machines, the software licensing agreements will become more lenient to reflect this burgeoning reality. I also think that anti-piracy mechanisms will become more sophisticated to counterbalance this new leniency.

Who knows, though? Time will tell.

[Jason Snell]

I think it's only a matter of time before every copy of the Mac OS ships with a CD key a la Windows, and the OS will check to see if other local copies are running the same serial number...

That won't stop hardcore pirates, but it might stop casual piracy...

[MrTangent]

Thanks for all the responses.

Regarding the new Mac(s) I'm going to buy:

Sure they'll come with Jaguar but ideally I'd like to take the copy of Jaguar that comes with the iBook (or Titanium, haven't made my decision yet) and update my older G3 with it.

The reason being: if I spend a few grand I think I should be entitled to use my copy of Jaguar where I see fit (as long as it's for my own personal use at home).

Secondly, I just purchased a stand-alone copy of Mac OS X (10.1) from the store not more than a few months ago. While I love Apple and I don't seem to hate them as much as some do for charging the full price for Jaguar, I do see why some people are upset. People who, like me, just recently bought OS X are now forced to buy it again and spend another $129.

I think if I were Apple I would have lowered the price for what essentially amounts to a service package upgrade. With that said, had I not been in the game for buying a new Mac I would have paid for the upgrade eventually.

Thanks to everyone that posted so far.

[ 08-06-2002: Message edited by: MrTangent ]

[Nobody]

Not to be rude, but I would disagree with Jason.

The fact that No mac OS has ever required a CD key would suggest that both a cd key and sending that information to Apple are fairly far away in my opinion.

But then again, who really knows.