Computer Law/2 programs

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Expert: - 3/15/2008


Question
I have an acquaintance that has a desktop computer and a laptop computer.  On the desktop he has installed Microsoft Office 2003.  He is planning on installing it on the laptop.  I tried to explain that this was not a good idea.  I said that one product code goes with one program onto one computer.  If he attempted to install Microsoft Office onto both computers, using the product code each time, that eventually that would be a bad thing to do.  He scoffed.
My question is, "What would be bad about that?"  What would happen?  How would Microsoft find out?  What would be the consequences?  Is this merely a question of ethics?  Or would something actually happen?  What exactly has ever happened?


Answer
Hi Cowboy,

Microsoft activates its products by checking product codes against a data base. If that code has already been used and activated, it will send back a unable to activate message and the office product will not work. Thats how they make sure you buy a copy for every machine you have.

Thats about it, one code, one activation.

It is against the law but very few people are ever prosecuted for this, since its hard to detect unless they have some other crime they are being prosecuted for.

Hope this helps explain it a bit.

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning Computer Crime Investigations and Internet investigations including Computer Crime Laws both at the State level and Federal level. I can answer questions on almost any crime in which a computer is used. In addition I can answer questions concerning copywrite infringement (peer to peer, and copying). I served as a police Commander and conducted and still conduct Computer Crime Investigations at the Local, State and Federal level. I have investigated all most any kind of crime with which or which involved a computer and the internet, from murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug dealing and more. I can answer questions concerning Computer Forensics (the art of recovering information from a suspects computer), Computer Crime Investigations and Internet Investigations. I am a Federally Court Recognized Expert in Computer Crime and Computer Forensics. I have worked in both Facebook and MySPace, also in Peer to Peer investigations. In addition I can answer questions concerning child predators and how to make your children safer on-line. I teach Computer Forensics, Internet Investigations, Peer to Peer Investigations and other computer crime related subjects for several colleges and the Institute of Police Technology and Management. My hobby webpage - Military Videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487

Experience

I conduct computer crime investigations in conjunction with the F.B.I., Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, and University of Florida Police Department, Levi County Sheriff’s Office, Starke Police Department and other agencies in the North Florida Court District. I provide the forensic data recovery services for those agencies as well as internet tracing and information gathering. I am a Federal Court Certified Expert in Computer Crime Investigations and Forensics. I teach Computer Forensics for the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. I also teach Computer Crime courses for Tallahassee Community College, Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Training Center. Associate Instructor; teach Computer Crime courses thorough out the world for IPTM. Presently Teach Cyber Crime Investigations, Computer Crime Investigations and Computer Forensic Data Recovery Course.

Education/Credentials
2 Degrees in Criminal Justice, now teach college level Data Forensics classes

Awards and Honors
Awarded the FBI Directors Award for assisting the FBI in a National Computer Crime Investigation. Awarded Dec 2002

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