illegal software

[garyyoung]

do you know if it is illegal to use copied software like windows xp if it was given to you as a gift? and could they track you in any way ? i reckon nobody would know because you use it at home privately. also windows belongs to Gates . does american copyright law count in all countries?

[mattie]

This is a hypothetical question isn't it? Yes it is illegal if the person who gave you the software still had the original. As I understand it, If you purchase software you may make one copy for yourself to protect the master copy. But, if you sell or give away the original then you must also pass on or destroy any copies, and that includes removing it from your PC.

[JohnPPotts]

American copyright certainly does apply in this country - I believe it's covered under the proviso in most agreements along the lines of "under US law and other countries by Treaty". You'd have to go somewhere like Cuba or Afghanistan to find a country where it didn't apply.