> From: [log in to unmask] at Internet
> Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 1999 2:27 PM
> To: [log in to unmask] at INTERNET
> Subject: RE: HP crackdown on resellers
>
> If the story alleged in the Sacramento Business Journal
> is true, then there is no doubt that the behavior of
> Abtech, Hardware House, and others was flagrantly
> criminal and should be prosecuted to the full extent
> possible.
>
> I certainly have no compassion for people who behave in
> such a manner.

While I agree that if the story is accurate, and the
companies involved have indeed done as described, then
they have been involved in illegal activities and should
be prosecuted as such.  However, there was a market for
the products and services which they provided because
of (IMO) less than ethical practices on the part of HP.
If HP sold the boxes based on what they were in terms
of processing power, rather than cutting back on number
of users, and charging less for a 9000 than it would for
the exact same 3000 model, then there would be no market
for the products provided by these vendors.

Question...if I purchased a 9000, and a version of
MPE/ix sized for 20 users, and then with the help of
a Elec-Eng, a soldering, and some boards that I bought
from a shop going out of business, I converted that
9000 into a 3000.  Then I delved into the MPE/iX system
and changed the 20 into a 200.  If I then sold that
system as a mutated system, would I be violating any
legalities, since I did the work myself, using parts
which I perchased, and I did not use any unauthorized
software to change the values in the OS?  i.e. was the
criminal action by these other companies the fact that
they (1) used unauthorized software, (2) bribed people
inside HP to give them inside information, (3) got
upgrade kits (funny, a 9000 to a 3000 is an UPGRADE)
under the table, or (4) that they were selling 3000s
for a price that HP should have been selling them for?

--

Buz          (8

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