If the purchase was from Amazon or other *reputable* seller, they should be able to take a return. Not doing so for a counterfeit product, exposes them to further legal liability.
And I wasn't talking about how it affects those of you who buy such cables and *continue to use them* (they're not that expensive). I was talking about how users who do so, affect ME. Granted, the actions of just one buyer doesn't affect me, but the collective actions do; they affect all of us.
Years ago, some of you may remember that if you mailed a bill payment, and you forgot to put a stamp on it, the USPS would still deliver the envelop, and the recipient would pay the postage due, and your bill payment was posted on time. Then, along came the "hippie" movement, and some decided to make the "evil" utility companies always pay the postage. In short order, the USPS put a stop to that. So, ever since, if you really forget to apply sufficient postage, your payment is returned to you. Actions have consequences, and often, the actions of a relatively small number affect all of the rest of us.
On one Yahoo! forum for an Icom amateur radio product, there is often a (perhaps innocent) query about "where to download the service manual". Usually there is a quick response about where to download it for free. I used to object to the latter messages, noting that Icom sold the manual at a reasonable price. The price I paid for my replies, was that I was moderated on the forum, but the person who provided the pirate web site address was not. One person even claimed that "we were owed it, because amateur radio invented the cellular phone technology".
On another Yahoo! forum for a Yaesu amateur radio product, if someone posts a message about where to download the service manual, he/she is instantly banned by the moderator, and a warning is issued to the group about such posts.
Before I was retired, I made my living writing and selling software. Amateurs used to give these issues little thought. Recently there seems to be more awareness of the issues of both software and hardware piracy, which I am glad to see. Nevertheless, in this thread there didn't seem to be much appreciation of the issue, with most of the advice being how to "get around" the tactics being used to prevent the cables from being used, rather than "is this happening because I am doing something wrong?"
Sincerely, Dean
On 2013-02-26 18:12, John W. wrote:
Well, in most cases, no one knows they have a counterfeit until they get the cable and it does not work properly. I have not ever heard a retailer saying "We sell fake chips".
Fortunately, I will not be upgrading to Win8. It brings nothing new, insofar as functionality. It does however, take away the start menu and introduces a stupid new interface that only is effective for touch screens.
*From:* Dean Gibson AE7Q <data@ae7q.net> *To:* Discussion of CHIRP <chirp_users@intrepid.danplanet.com> *Sent:* Tue, February 26, 2013 9:01:52 PM *Subject:* Re: [chirp_users] Prolific update and amateur pirates I would like to address this to everyone who buys a cable with a counterfeit Prolific USB-to-serial converter chip: You may not think you are hurting anyone, but you are. Aside from the legal and ethical issues with buying counterfeit goods, you are financially affecting more than just Prolific (who sells legitimate chips). You are financially affecting *me*. And in a very concrete and tangible way. Because of the extensive counterfeiting of their USB-to-serial converter chip (and the theft of their intellectual properties: http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=155&pcid=41 ), Prolific has taken certain steps: 1. They have designed a new USB-to-serial converter chip that is supposed to be more difficult to counterfeit, and selling that to legitimate cable makers. This chip will be supported in Windows 8. 2. The present USB-to-serial converter chip will *not* be supported in Windows 8: http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41 So, how does this affect me? I have and use thirteen USB-to-serial converter cables with the old (legitimate) Prolific chip. These cables will *not work* when I upgrade to Windows 8. Instead, I will have to buy new USB-to-serial converter cables. I will pay the *twice the price you would have paid* (times thirteen), than if you had bought a legitimate cable. Once, for each legitimate original cable, and once again for a new cable. So, for those of you who knowingly bought counterfeit cables *and continue to use them*: *Thanks, guys*. As a person who has contributed code to the Chirp project, has written other open-source software for the amateur community, and has maintained a couple amateur radio support sites (free and without ads) for the past decade, you have made my heart very warm with feelings of appreciation. Or maybe just a bit hot.
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