Are Microsoft store apps legal?


  1. Posts : 1,557
    W10 32 bit, XUbuntu 18.xx 64 bit
       #1

    Are Microsoft store apps legal?


    Are Microsoft store apps legal? Never thought I would ask that question. I see a lot of free movie apps being offered. The ad you see at the top could pay for the movies. I find very odd though. Especially, since some of free movies are also available for rent or purchase at the Microsoft store.
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  2. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #2

    The apps are not necessarily illegal anymore than owning or using a gun is necessarily illegal. Owning it or using it may be illegal of course depending on your country of residence.

    I am surprised that MS host such tools though - poor vetting?
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  3. Posts : 1,557
    W10 32 bit, XUbuntu 18.xx 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    cereberus said:
    The apps are not necessarily illegal anymore than owning or using a gun is necessarily illegal. Owning it or using it may be illegal of course depending on your country of residence.

    I am surprised that MS host such tools though - poor vetting?
    How do you know which apps are legal and legit in your country? I don't want to get in trouble or a fine for watching movies or tv programs that are not legal to watch. I am not that type of person. Microsoft should do better checking of their apps. It makes me afraid of using any app on windows 10 from their store.
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  4. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #4

    groze said:
    How do you know which apps are legal and legit in your country? I don't want to get in trouble or a fine for watching movies or tv programs that are not legal to watch. I am not that type of person. Microsoft should do better checking of their apps. It makes me afraid of using any app on windows 10 from their store.
    I cannot answer that.

    The reality is very few countries will seriously prosecute individuals, unless those individuals are openly selling illegal copies. I am not suggesting it is ok to use such apps of course.

    Ultimately, it is either accepting the risk of being prosecuted, or a personal moral conscience issue.
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  5. Posts : 1,557
    W10 32 bit, XUbuntu 18.xx 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    cereberus or anyone else

    Is the Scooby Doo tv show apps (The free ones) ok to watch in the U.S.? Some of those apps may also include the movies.
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  6. Posts : 7,128
    Windows 10 Pro Insider
       #6

    groze said:
    cereberus or anyone else

    Is the Scooby Doo tv show apps (The free ones) ok to watch in the U.S.? Some of those apps may also include the movies.
    I don't see why it would be illegal. They probably pay for the rights to offer the shows from the ads and purchases. Being openly available I'm sure MS knows it in the store.
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  7. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #7

    I've had some Apps/programs pop up a not authorized in your country message (or something similar) once installed and run. They just won't stream the content. I didn't find out until I tried to actually use them. I can't remember what programs/Apps they were though. It's been a while since that happened. I try to read the fine print these days to prevent a repeat occurrence.
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  8. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #8

    groze said:
    cereberus or anyone else

    Is the Scooby Doo tv show apps (The free ones) ok to watch in the U.S.? Some of those apps may also include the movies.
    I really have no idea but I personally I would not worry about it but if any mean looking and mysterious green vans suddenly park outside, panic!
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  9. Posts : 1,557
    W10 32 bit, XUbuntu 18.xx 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    cereberus said:
    I really have no idea but I personally I would not worry about it but if any mean looking and mysterious green vans suddenly park outside, panic!

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  10. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #10

    Hi there

    While myself hating the whole idea in a Global world restricting stuff by "Geo-Location" - since in any case any such restrictions are usually futile and content invariably finds its way on to well known sites I doubt whether any court would get a successful prosecution if you downloaded in good faith an app from an OFFICIAL (not a "cloned version) of the Microsoft store.

    If fines / other sanctions were to be levied - any even moderately successful Lawyer could run rings around that type of verdict -- and the owner of the site (in this case Microsoft) could be the one liable for prosecution.

    Interesting how though MCAA doesn't go against Microsoft (Ms is big enough to fight back) but are trying to get hold of "The small guys".

    If stuff was released globally and with decent digital availabilty at sensible and affordable pricing --why in 21 Century do we need such Dinosaur Technology ad physical DVD's (apart from pollution etc in manufacturing these) MORE MONEY would be earned by these content providers.

    Why for example is NETFLIX more expensive in Australia and GB than USA and with LESS content available -- that's what the courts should look at rather than being bothered with the ms store.

    In any case I'm sure Ms won't deliberately host pirated / copyrighted material on its sites - unless it pays the rights for such material.

    Cheers
    jimbo
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