Date:	Mon, 10 Aug 1998 12:45:11 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id:	<199808101645.MAA09421@delorie.com>
From:	DJ Delorie <dj AT delorie DOT com>
To:	ralphgpr AT shadow DOT net
CC:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
In-reply-to:	<3.0.1.16.19980804094544.1fa7f588@shadow.net> (message from Ralph
	Proctor on Tue, 04 Aug 1998 09:45:44)
Subject:	Re: Disassembly

> Would you mind stating the law as IN REALITY it applies and how (if
> it is all right) an amateur can disassemble at home and still be
> doing the RIGHT THING.

When an entity produces a piece of software, they require that you
agree to their terms of use before they allow you to use it.  In the
case of GPL software, you are required to distribute sources with
binaries.  If you cannot agree to this, you are not allowed to use the
software.  That's the law.  For most commercial software, they require
that you agree to not reverse engineer or disassemble the software
before they'll allow you to use the software.  If you do so anyway,
you are breaking the law by violating the contract under which you
obtained the rights to use the software.

Morals have nothing to do with it.  Read the license agreement that
comes with the software.  If it says you cannot disassemble, you
cannot legally disassemble the software - at all.

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