On Tuesday, March 23, 1999 08:41, Shawn Gordon
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] said,

> Check out http://www.hp.com/pressrel/mar99/19mar99.htm if you haven't
> already seen.  This is sad for folks in my area because
> Abtech was a real quality reseller, the support was top notch and the
machines
> always looked like new.

If the press release is accurate, and these companies did what HP alleges,
then they messed up - regardless of what their products looked like when
sold or their reputations... converting a 3000 to a 9000 and vice versa,
without using the proper tools (the conversion kits) is illegal.

To quote the press release:

"In the suits, HP contends that used HP 9000 and HP 3000 computers purchased
by these used-equipment brokers and resellers have been illegally
reconfigured by the brokers into different, more valuable models of servers
using unlawfully obtained, HP proprietary and copyrighted operating and
utility programs. More specifically, HP alleges that the brokers have
unlawfully reconfigured HP 9000 servers into more expensive HP 3000 servers,
modified lower-level HP 3000 servers to higher-powered models and increased
the number of users allowed access to a server at any one time. HP contends
that all of these activities infringe its copyrights in the proprietary
programs. "

HP provides these tools for this express purpose.  The tools are proprietary
and licensed.  People may not agree with it, but that's the case (from what
I can see in the press release).

These are high-volume resellers (and the one I work with is not on the list,
either <whew>) -- and it's a shame.  It could have been an honest mistake -
but the conversion kits must be purchased from HP... one cannot purchase the
kit from a third party (at least that I know of).  They ain't cheap either.

If you want to convert a 9000 to a 3000, you purchase a kit from HP.  The
same holds true to go the other way (although why would someone want to do
that? :)  If infringement occurred, then they get what they deserve - and if
not, well then it will all come out in court.  HP dosen't file frivilous
lawsuits, and more times than not, they have their ducks in a row when then
do, and have more than likely tried to work with the vendor(s) first.

Joe