need info on copyright laws covering standard pc games

[E. Persson]

I was recently fired from my job of 6 1/2 years for
attempting to email standard Windows games (solitaire,
Freecell, etc) from my office computer to my home
computer. I had Windows XP at work and Windows 98 at home
and had hoped to be able to play the ones I didn't already
have. My company's virus protection system intercepted
the files and they arrived corrupt. The procedure I used
to email the files was Start Menu >> Programs >> Games >>
Select Game >> Right Click >> Send to >> Mail Recipient.
The links did not disappear from the Program Menu upon
emailing them, but were all gone the next day. Are these
games copyrighted and, if they are, would they fall under
the umbrella of a licensing agreement?

Here is the explanation given on my separation notice:

Associate violated licensing agreement, copyright laws and
(company name)'s Code of Business Conduct by attempting to
download programs from (company name)'s licensed computer
system to his home computer via email.

Doesn't the term "downloading" refer to a direct
connection between two systems and exclude email
transmission? What are the legal ramifications of what I
did and are there any apparent loopholes here or paths of
recourse that I could pursue against the company
concerning their claims? Any help, references, names of
persons at Microsoft or attorneys that deal with such
matters would be greatly appreciated.

[Pete Baker]

Hello E.

I think you'd be better off consulting a copyright lawyer. Or, indeed, any
lawyer.

Pete
-------------------------------
"E. Persson" > wrote in message
...
> I was recently fired from my job of 6 1/2 years for
> attempting to email standard Windows games (solitaire,
> Freecell, etc) from my office computer to my home
> computer. I had Windows XP at work and Windows 98 at home
> and had hoped to be able to play the ones I didn't already
> have. My company's virus protection system intercepted
> the files and they arrived corrupt. The procedure I used
> to email the files was Start Menu >> Programs >> Games >>
> Select Game >> Right Click >> Send to >> Mail Recipient.
> The links did not disappear from the Program Menu upon
> emailing them, but were all gone the next day. Are these
> games copyrighted and, if they are, would they fall under
> the umbrella of a licensing agreement?
>
> Here is the explanation given on my separation notice:
>
> Associate violated licensing agreement, copyright laws and
> (company name)'s Code of Business Conduct by attempting to
> download programs from (company name)'s licensed computer
> system to his home computer via email.
>
> Doesn't the term "downloading" refer to a direct
> connection between two systems and exclude email
> transmission? What are the legal ramifications of what I
> did and are there any apparent loopholes here or paths of
> recourse that I could pursue against the company
> concerning their claims? Any help, references, names of
> persons at Microsoft or attorneys that deal with such
> matters would be greatly appreciated.

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

I think they may have you.
However this is entirely the wrong forum for this type of question.
You need a competent attorney to answer these legal questions.
What you may get here is opinions from people that really do not know
a lot about that part of the law.
Some may know the basics, but nothing that you can use anywhere.

Ironically you have Windows 98 and those games are on your CD and also
available at Microsoft Windows Catalog:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp
Click "Find updates for Microsoft..."
Select Windows 98, click "Advanced search options"
Type "game" in "Contains these words" box.
Click Search.
Select "Additional Windows downloads"

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"E. Persson" > wrote in message
...
> I was recently fired from my job of 6 1/2 years for
> attempting to email standard Windows games (solitaire,
> Freecell, etc) from my office computer to my home
> computer. I had Windows XP at work and Windows 98 at home
> and had hoped to be able to play the ones I didn't already
> have. My company's virus protection system intercepted
> the files and they arrived corrupt. The procedure I used
> to email the files was Start Menu >> Programs >> Games >>
> Select Game >> Right Click >> Send to >> Mail Recipient.
> The links did not disappear from the Program Menu upon
> emailing them, but were all gone the next day. Are these
> games copyrighted and, if they are, would they fall under
> the umbrella of a licensing agreement?
>
> Here is the explanation given on my separation notice:
>
> Associate violated licensing agreement, copyright laws and
> (company name)'s Code of Business Conduct by attempting to
> download programs from (company name)'s licensed computer
> system to his home computer via email.
>
> Doesn't the term "downloading" refer to a direct
> connection between two systems and exclude email
> transmission? What are the legal ramifications of what I
> did and are there any apparent loopholes here or paths of
> recourse that I could pursue against the company
> concerning their claims? Any help, references, names of
> persons at Microsoft or attorneys that deal with such
> matters would be greatly appreciated.

[NoNoBadDog!]

First of all, all parts of the Windows operating system are covered by the
company's EULA and site licensing. You were wrong to try and send the games
to another computer, regardless of how you attempted to do so. Secondly,
the company you worked for has a written policy (Code of Business Conduct)
governing what you did, and you violated the policy.
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't waste my time searching for a lawyer in
this regard. I sincerely hope you have learned a lesson in this.

Bobby


"E. Persson" > wrote in message
...
> I was recently fired from my job of 6 1/2 years for
> attempting to email standard Windows games (solitaire,
> Freecell, etc) from my office computer to my home
> computer. I had Windows XP at work and Windows 98 at home
> and had hoped to be able to play the ones I didn't already
> have. My company's virus protection system intercepted
> the files and they arrived corrupt. The procedure I used
> to email the files was Start Menu >> Programs >> Games >>
> Select Game >> Right Click >> Send to >> Mail Recipient.
> The links did not disappear from the Program Menu upon
> emailing them, but were all gone the next day. Are these
> games copyrighted and, if they are, would they fall under
> the umbrella of a licensing agreement?
>
> Here is the explanation given on my separation notice:
>
> Associate violated licensing agreement, copyright laws and
> (company name)'s Code of Business Conduct by attempting to
> download programs from (company name)'s licensed computer
> system to his home computer via email.
>
> Doesn't the term "downloading" refer to a direct
> connection between two systems and exclude email
> transmission? What are the legal ramifications of what I
> did and are there any apparent loopholes here or paths of
> recourse that I could pursue against the company
> concerning their claims? Any help, references, names of
> persons at Microsoft or attorneys that deal with such
> matters would be greatly appreciated.

[Yves Leclerc]

By the way: The XP games would not have worked on Windows XP. The XP
versions require a file that Windows 95, 98, ME and NT does not have.

Y.


"NoNoBadDog!" > wrote in message
...
> First of all, all parts of the Windows operating system are covered by the
> company's EULA and site licensing. You were wrong to try and send the
games
> to another computer, regardless of how you attempted to do so. Secondly,
> the company you worked for has a written policy (Code of Business Conduct)
> governing what you did, and you violated the policy.
> If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't waste my time searching for a lawyer
in
> this regard. I sincerely hope you have learned a lesson in this.
>
> Bobby
>
>
> "E. Persson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I was recently fired from my job of 6 1/2 years for
> > attempting to email standard Windows games (solitaire,
> > Freecell, etc) from my office computer to my home
> > computer. I had Windows XP at work and Windows 98 at home
> > and had hoped to be able to play the ones I didn't already
> > have. My company's virus protection system intercepted
> > the files and they arrived corrupt. The procedure I used
> > to email the files was Start Menu >> Programs >> Games >>
> > Select Game >> Right Click >> Send to >> Mail Recipient.
> > The links did not disappear from the Program Menu upon
> > emailing them, but were all gone the next day. Are these
> > games copyrighted and, if they are, would they fall under
> > the umbrella of a licensing agreement?
> >
> > Here is the explanation given on my separation notice:
> >
> > Associate violated licensing agreement, copyright laws and
> > (company name)'s Code of Business Conduct by attempting to
> > download programs from (company name)'s licensed computer
> > system to his home computer via email.
> >
> > Doesn't the term "downloading" refer to a direct
> > connection between two systems and exclude email
> > transmission? What are the legal ramifications of what I
> > did and are there any apparent loopholes here or paths of
> > recourse that I could pursue against the company
> > concerning their claims? Any help, references, names of
> > persons at Microsoft or attorneys that deal with such
> > matters would be greatly appreciated.
>
>

[Yves Leclerc]

Make this: Windows XP standard game would not have work ing Windows 98.

Yves

"Yves Leclerc" > wrote in message
...
> By the way: The XP games would not have worked on Windows XP. The XP
> versions require a file that Windows 95, 98, ME and NT does not have.
>
> Y.
>
>
> "NoNoBadDog!" > wrote in message
> ...
> > First of all, all parts of the Windows operating system are covered by
the
> > company's EULA and site licensing. You were wrong to try and send the
> games
> > to another computer, regardless of how you attempted to do so.
Secondly,
> > the company you worked for has a written policy (Code of Business
Conduct)
> > governing what you did, and you violated the policy.
> > If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't waste my time searching for a lawyer
> in
> > this regard. I sincerely hope you have learned a lesson in this.
> >
> > Bobby
> >
> >
> > "E. Persson" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I was recently fired from my job of 6 1/2 years for
> > > attempting to email standard Windows games (solitaire,
> > > Freecell, etc) from my office computer to my home
> > > computer. I had Windows XP at work and Windows 98 at home
> > > and had hoped to be able to play the ones I didn't already
> > > have. My company's virus protection system intercepted
> > > the files and they arrived corrupt. The procedure I used
> > > to email the files was Start Menu >> Programs >> Games >>
> > > Select Game >> Right Click >> Send to >> Mail Recipient.
> > > The links did not disappear from the Program Menu upon
> > > emailing them, but were all gone the next day. Are these
> > > games copyrighted and, if they are, would they fall under
> > > the umbrella of a licensing agreement?
> > >
> > > Here is the explanation given on my separation notice:
> > >
> > > Associate violated licensing agreement, copyright laws and
> > > (company name)'s Code of Business Conduct by attempting to
> > > download programs from (company name)'s licensed computer
> > > system to his home computer via email.
> > >
> > > Doesn't the term "downloading" refer to a direct
> > > connection between two systems and exclude email
> > > transmission? What are the legal ramifications of what I
> > > did and are there any apparent loopholes here or paths of
> > > recourse that I could pursue against the company
> > > concerning their claims? Any help, references, names of
> > > persons at Microsoft or attorneys that deal with such
> > > matters would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> >
>
>

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Yes, you were justly terminated for attempted theft of your
employer's property, in addition to potentially making your employer
liable for any copyright infringements.


Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
----
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"E. Persson" > wrote in message
...
> I was recently fired from my job of 6 1/2 years for
> attempting to email standard Windows games (solitaire,
> Freecell, etc) from my office computer to my home
> computer. I had Windows XP at work and Windows 98 at home
> and had hoped to be able to play the ones I didn't already
> have. My company's virus protection system intercepted
> the files and they arrived corrupt. The procedure I used
> to email the files was Start Menu >> Programs >> Games >>
> Select Game >> Right Click >> Send to >> Mail Recipient.
> The links did not disappear from the Program Menu upon
> emailing them, but were all gone the next day. Are these
> games copyrighted and, if they are, would they fall under
> the umbrella of a licensing agreement?
>
> Here is the explanation given on my separation notice:
>
> Associate violated licensing agreement, copyright laws and
> (company name)'s Code of Business Conduct by attempting to
> download programs from (company name)'s licensed computer
> system to his home computer via email.
>
> Doesn't the term "downloading" refer to a direct
> connection between two systems and exclude email
> transmission? What are the legal ramifications of what I
> did and are there any apparent loopholes here or paths of
> recourse that I could pursue against the company
> concerning their claims? Any help, references, names of
> persons at Microsoft or attorneys that deal with such
> matters would be greatly appreciated.

[Jim Macklin]

Labor law and copyright law are two different areas.
Whether you have a claim against your former employer,
either to be re-hired or to be compensated depends on both
state and Federal law.

Whether your employer should have warned you, rather than
fired you and whether you were under a contract or any
special laws apply might have bearing on the subject.

I don't know if XP games would run on W98, it may be that
you'd be better off just doing a Google search for the games
you want.

Most companies monitor email for just such violations of
company security and other violations. Y'all be careful.


"Bruce Chambers" > wrote in
message ...
| Greetings --
|
| Yes, you were justly terminated for attempted theft of
your
| employer's property, in addition to potentially making
your employer
| liable for any copyright infringements.
|
|
| Bruce Chambers
|
| Help us help you:
| http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
| http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
| ----
| You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever
count on
| having both at once. -- RAH
|
|
| "E. Persson" > wrote in message
| ...
| > I was recently fired from my job of 6 1/2 years for
| > attempting to email standard Windows games (solitaire,
| > Freecell, etc) from my office computer to my home
| > computer. I had Windows XP at work and Windows 98 at
home
| > and had hoped to be able to play the ones I didn't
already
| > have. My company's virus protection system intercepted
| > the files and they arrived corrupt. The procedure I
used
| > to email the files was Start Menu >> Programs >> Games
>>
| > Select Game >> Right Click >> Send to >> Mail Recipient.
| > The links did not disappear from the Program Menu upon
| > emailing them, but were all gone the next day. Are
these
| > games copyrighted and, if they are, would they fall
under
| > the umbrella of a licensing agreement?
| >
| > Here is the explanation given on my separation notice:
| >
| > Associate violated licensing agreement, copyright laws
and
| > (company name)'s Code of Business Conduct by attempting
to
| > download programs from (company name)'s licensed
computer
| > system to his home computer via email.
| >
| > Doesn't the term "downloading" refer to a direct
| > connection between two systems and exclude email
| > transmission? What are the legal ramifications of what
I
| > did and are there any apparent loopholes here or paths
of
| > recourse that I could pursue against the company
| > concerning their claims? Any help, references, names of
| > persons at Microsoft or attorneys that deal with such
| > matters would be greatly appreciated.
|
|