Question about rules re: admitting to piracy

[Eonwe]

In this thread, Frank said:

@Frank

I’ll remind posters at this time that while discussion of the morality of pirating software is OK, encouragement to pirate or admission of piracy is not.

This is the first time I can remember seeing that admitting to having pirated software was against the rules. I gave the ‘rules’ a glance and didn’t see anything, so I thought I’d ask for some clarification.

Is it against board rules for me to say, “I have a pirated copy of Win98,” for example? If so, why?

Does it hold true of admitting to all other illegal activities? Can I admit to having smoked pot? Can I admit to having had alcohol before I turned 21? Can I admit to speeding?

none of the above is meant to be snarky in the least. I’m just curious as to this particular policy and what its rationale is

[kaylasdad99]

OtToMH, I’d expect this prohibition to apply more strongly to admissions of current and/or ongoing transgressions than to confessions of past behaviors that are truly in the past. I’d also be interested in clarification, though.

[Frank]

@kaylasdad99

… I’d expect this prohibition to apply more strongly to admissions of current and/or ongoing transgressions than to confessions of past behaviors that are truly in the past.

Yes. Current illegal activity is what was meant. Sorry for the confusion.

[Cluricaun]

@Eonwe

In [url=“http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=390952&page=1&pp=50”]

Does it hold true of admitting to all other illegal activities? Can I admit to having smoked pot? Can I admit to having had alcohol before I turned 21? Can I admit to speeding?

Dex covers this part in the Posting Guidelines in ATMB:

@Dex

Drugs that are illegal in the US: You may discuss the effects of drugs, but not where to obtain them. Limited discussion of past use of drugs is OK, but discussion of current use is not. Please include a disclaimer that the drug is illegal in the US.

[Caridwen]

@Eonwe

In this thread, Frank said:

This is the first time I can remember seeing that admitting to having pirated software was against the rules. I gave the ‘rules’ a glance and didn’t see anything, so I thought I’d ask for some clarification.

Is it against board rules for me to say, “I have a pirated copy of Win98,” for example? If so, why?

It’s pretty much against the rules of any forum that I’ve ever posted on.
If you check the TOS of most boards it’s in there and could get a board shut down.

It’s stated in the TOS at EZboard.
http://www.ezboard.com/content/view/40/

I think it’s stated in the rules at Invision too.

[Eonwe]

@Frank

Yes. Current illegal activity is what was meant. Sorry for the confusion.

Cool, thanks (and thanks Cluricaun for finding me a ‘cite’)!

[Bongmaster]

I wonder if my username infers current drug use?

[Bippy_the_Beardless]

@Caridwen

It’s pretty much against the rules of any forum that I’ve ever posted on.
If you check the TOS of most boards it’s in there and could get a board shut down.

It’s stated in the TOS at EZboard.
http://www.ezboard.com/content/view/40/

I think it’s stated in the rules at Invision too.

I don’t see where it states that admission to current illegal activities is not allowed on EZboard. Please advise me as to where it says this in the rather long Terms of Use page.

[clayton_e]

@kaylasdad99

OtToMH, I’d expect this prohibition to apply more strongly to admissions of current and/or ongoing transgressions than to confessions of past behaviors that are truly in the past. I’d also be interested in clarification, though.

What of all the “Drnk psting” threads? Should we ask for a scan of their photo ID?

(ok, that was entirely out of line… but I thought it was funny).

[iamthewalrus_3]

@Bongmaster

I wonder if my username infers current drug use?

Implies, not infers. Jeez, stop hitting the reefer for a minute and check a dictionary ;).

[PunditLisa]

@Bongmaster

I wonder if my username infers current drug use?

I assumed you liked ringing bells. You’ll understand, then, why I picture you as the Humpback of Notre Dame.

[Caridwen]

@Bippy the Beardless

I don’t see where it states that admission to current illegal activities is not allowed on EZboard. Please advise me as to where it says this in the rather long Terms of Use page.

Sorry Bibby-

I was referring to

6. USER CONDUCT

(2) consists of instructional information on illegal activities, including, but not limited to, terrorism, hacking, cracking, and phreaking; (3) violates or infringes in any way upon the proprietary rights of others, including, without limitation, copyrighted software, music, photographs, text, videos or artwork;

VIII. UNAUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTION OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
Definition: Posting or otherwise causing to appear on an ezboard or posting a link on an ezboard to any of the following:

• Trade secrets
• Passwords to pay-websites
• Pirated software, music, DVD’s, DivX, or CD’s (“warez”) “keys”, “cracks”, “serials”, or emulators
• Codes or instructional information for illegally intercepting and viewing satellite pay-cable television channels