creating MSI in VS 2017, old software, copyright questions

ImperialCavalry

Commendable
Apr 17, 2016
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Hello, I'm creating a simple windows Installer (MSI) on Visual Studio 2017, my goal is gathering all kinds of old/former Windows-related programs in to one place, an installer basically puts all the programs into the Program Files folder or user-specific place. I do know some of these programs are still works on Windows 10 and that is amazing to see, my biggest concern is, am I getting any problem related to this software (sharing on my website or social media) like "U can't use our software, we will sue you asap!!!" etc, since they are older programs the copyright laws wouldnt work yes? I won't be getting any money from it, I do this only for fun and for nostalgia purposes.

In short, is it safe to share them on my site or on my social media accounts? Can I give a direct link to download to others? or putting them into file sharing sites? like google drive and such?

Software I'd like to put into the MSI (without product keys)

MS Office (anything below the 2000 version)
Windows (max version 2000 and ME, no XP or above)
Other MS programs that isnt modern or currently in development
Other programs from 90s era

I will be taking the files from this site, of course I will be leaving credits to them in the MSI as a txt file. https://winworldpc.com/home

since they basically doing the same purpose, I can do too right?
 
Solution
Copyright is typically 25 years, and redistributing software without the copyright holders permission is liable to end up in court, just because someone else does it doesn't make it legal. Always get the copyright owners permission to redistribute stuff this includes images.


I certainly wouldn't download Office or Windows from a non-trusted source.
Where are you getting these installs from?
 


It is a safe source, a website contains all kinds of nostalgia/old products, in fact I'm just downloading Win ME at the moment, everyone downloads from this site, including some Youtubers doing this kind of videos, like "how to install win 98 on a virtual machine" etc

https://winworldpc.com/library/operating-systems
 


That site also posts, and requests, valid working license keys.
I'd be wary of associating your .msi with them.
 
Copyright is typically 25 years, and redistributing software without the copyright holders permission is liable to end up in court, just because someone else does it doesn't make it legal. Always get the copyright owners permission to redistribute stuff this includes images.
 
Solution


Then I will be chatting with a MS answers forum person about this soon, thanks for the info