Mac OS X and Piracy Issues - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Mac OS X and Piracy Issues

Phillip writes "Unix is what the new operating system [that will be on] every Macintosh computer with the introduction of OSX - isn't that what they are telling us.. well, here's what they are not telling us... As a former SGI operator, I deal with all kinds of software using Unix - Be prepared to be locked out of your next version of software. You see, every software company that builds a program for Unix has time locking code built into the Serial Number. So every six months to a year you have to call in with verification that you own that piece of software and they send you a new TimeCode/SSN via fax/ today probably e-mail. While this ensures that pirates are less likely to be able to use someone elses copy - as an end user that is a pain the the ass. You have to call into the vender - verify through a fax - wait two to three hours and then you get the new number. When software venders decide to implement this into the system it will probably be the last major upgrade anyone will choose and Apples drive to dominate the market will stop. "

I personally don't use any commerical Unix software, so can not verify the prevalance of this TimeCode method... however, many of the Mac OS 9 developers will be migrating along with the us - and it doesn't seem likely that they would suddenly start utilizing this method for consumers. Comments?

Popular Stories

Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Pre-Orders and Release Date

Sunday August 16, 2026 8:24 pm PDT by
Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern. As usual, the event is expected to take place in the first half of September. Labor Day falls on September 7 this year. The last time the holiday was on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to the...
apple camera airpods

Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Confirmed: See Them in Action

Monday August 17, 2026 6:21 pm PDT by
Apple is working on camera-equipped AirPods that appear to be nearly ready to launch, based on a video MacRumors found in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate. In a short demo, a man holds a book up so the camera in the AirPods can see the title. "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later," says the voiceover text. Here ...
iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry Feature

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: New Details Leak as Apple Event Nears

Monday August 17, 2026 11:09 am PDT by
"iPhone Ultra" supply will be very limited when the foldable device is first released later this year, according to Fixed Focus Digital, a known leaker on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. The account also claimed that the iPhone 18 Pro's A20 Pro chip will be up to 18% faster and up to 30% more power efficient compared to the iPhone 17 Pro's A19 Pro chip. The A20 Pro chip will be the...