Antivirus program

[Bob I]

You are comparing apples to oranges. If they offer a PUBLIC FTP site
with anonymous login, then it is open to anyone to log into and take
software. That is different than EVERY situation you outlined.

Now if I had to hack into it by hacking the user ids/passwords that
would be theft, but hitting a public site using anonymous credentials
that THEY allow...that's not theft.

That ftp support site contains Updates and Manuals. Where did you get
the main program?

 

[Bob I]

From the same site some time ago. Now they've removed SAV Corporate.
Sorry if you were too late.

Not the idea, I was pointing out that the site IS FOR SUPPORT, and that
"SAV Corporate" is not a freeware software, and I suspect was never
intentionally placed on that site for random access download.

 

[M.1.5¾]

Perhaps not...but it was there and for at least three or four months
after it was released. It's gone now.

But if they put it there on an open public site, how is it "theft" to
to use it? That was my point.

So what do you think the actions taken by the BPI (in Europe) and the RIAA
(in the US) against file sharing sites is all about? If the software is the
subject of copyright then its copyright theft to make a copy of it
regardless of where it is kept.

 

[M.1.5¾]

I reiterate: this was on a Public FTP site, well known, maintained BY
the company which released, owns, and maintains the software. This is
not a pirate fie sharing website or FTP. If Symantec made an error,
it was a long lasting one and not a fault of those of us who were able
to download the software THEY placed there.

Maybe, but the appearance of copyright material in a publicly accesible
location does not in any way affect the copyright status of that software.
If it is copyright and you copy it without the copyright holders permission,
then that is copyright theft.

 

[Bob I]

I reiterate: this was on a Public FTP site, well known, maintained BY
the company which released, owns, and maintains the software. This is
not a pirate fie sharing website or FTP. If Symantec made an error,
it was a long lasting one and not a fault of those of us who were able
to download the software THEY placed there.

If what you believe is true, then e-mail the company and ask if "that
was the intent and may you continue using their product without
compensation". If they reply in the affirmative, then well and good for
you. On the other hand, I suspect not.

 

[M.1.5¾]

Them putting it on a PUBLIC FTP site give implicit permission. Check
the case law.

I don't know where in the world you are (but I can guess). In most of the
world, the copyright remains with the author regardless of where it is
placed. In Europe, the author always retains copyright - there is no
concept of placing material in the public domain until the copyright
expires.