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Quickemu: Quickly create and run optimised Win-10,11/macOS/Linux on Linux

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Re: Quickemu: Quickly create and run optimised Win-10,11/macOS/Linux on Linux

#3
I'm not sure how it works now, but a few years ago it was illegal to use more than one copy of Windows in this way (provided that you already have a purchased copy). If you wanted to have two instances, you had to purchase a second copy. I'm not sure what the relevant terms are for macOS now apart from the fact that in the old days VMware had an artificial block you need to remove in order to run Mac OS X. It would be interesting to know the current legal ramifications.

Re: Quickemu: Quickly create and run optimised Win-10,11/macOS/Linux on Linux

#4
post #2

Took a little while to find the magic words in there: https://github.com/wimpysworld/quickemu/blob/af26f41440d63a0...

I always wondered how is it stealing if you (1) own a copy and, (2) Apple effectively stopped charging money for macOS.

Re: Quickemu: Quickly create and run optimised Win-10,11/macOS/Linux on Linux

#5

I'm not sure how it works now, but a few years ago it was illegal to use more than one copy of Windows in this way (provided that you already have a purchased copy). If you wanted to have two instances, you had to purchase a second copy. I'm not sure what the relevant terms are for macOS now apart from the fact that in the old days VMware had an artificial block you need to remove in order to run Mac OS X. It would b…

Was it illegal, or against a non-enforceable contract?

Re: Quickemu: Quickly create and run optimised Win-10,11/macOS/Linux on Linux

#6
post #2

Took a little while to find the magic words in there: https://github.com/wimpysworld/quickemu/blob/af26f41440d63a0...

I always wondered how is it stealing if you (1) own a copy and, (2) Apple effectively stopped charging money for macOS.

It's hardly stealing if the original owners still have a copy. It's more of a breach of terms of service, or unlicensed access to intellectual property.

The "theft" spin on copyright violation is the result of years of lobbying by the media industry because they foresaw a drop in sales when people didn't need to buy the same thing over and over again.

Re: Quickemu: Quickly create and run optimised Win-10,11/macOS/Linux on Linux

#7

I'm not sure how it works now, but a few years ago it was illegal to use more than one copy of Windows in this way (provided that you already have a purchased copy). If you wanted to have two instances, you had to purchase a second copy. I'm not sure what the relevant terms are for macOS now apart from the fact that in the old days VMware had an artificial block you need to remove in order to run Mac OS X. It would b…

AFAIK you can use Windows unlicensed as long as you activate it after evaluation. You're right that you can only run one instance of a given Windows product code on a machine for long-time use, though.

The last I heard about the macos situation is that virtualisation of macOS is allowed as long as you do it on Apple hardware that you have a license to run macOS on. You can run as many virtual machines on your mac as you want, as long as you've paid for the OS on your mac, which you can't buy separately anymore (making any restrictions on licenses a full ban on macOS VMs, which nobody wants). Perhaps you could buy additional licenses through second hand shops, depending on your jurisdiction.

As for legal ramifications, I don't think either Microsoft or Apple will care if you use this for your personal projects. Don't try this as a business, though, because that's where the lawyers start caring.

Legally, you'll probably be liable for a civil lawsuit from either Apple or Microsoft. I don't think it's actually considered a crime to run a copy of software without a license in most countries.

Re: Quickemu: Quickly create and run optimised Win-10,11/macOS/Linux on Linux

#10
post #2

Took a little while to find the magic words in there: https://github.com/wimpysworld/quickemu/blob/af26f41440d63a0...

What is this?

ourhardworkbythesewordsguardedpleasedontsteal(c)AppleComputerInc
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