I'll bet you they're using a pirated version. They wouldn't pay up for a license...... assuming the US government even allows software sales there.

I am chortling at the thought of North Korean missile command on the phone to Redmond for tech support.

:lol: maybe they can't find the desktop tile and are struggling without the start orb

"Hi, MS Tech Support? We're having trouble with Windows 8. What's the problem? We're trying to run 'LaunchMissile.exe -target America', but it keeps saying it's not a valid file. Turn it off and on again? Might work, we haven't tried it yet."

WHY IS THE SUBJECT SHOUTING AT ME?

MARK

BECAUSE YOU'RE FOREIGN! FOREIGN!

It would have to be, as sanctions would not allow the sale of software or anything that could be used to enhance their nuclear program to be sold to North Korea.

As can be demonstrated Here.

I was thinking the same when I read the headline, but the example you link isn't related. In the eBay example, North Korean money has only recently been banned:


This ban was not in place when they purchased their Windows 8 licence, and this example is regarding imports rather than exports.

However, American export policy has for a very long time expressly prohibited the sale of anything that may be used to facilitate weapons productions. You will see this even in Apple's licence:


Why did I choose Apple as an example? Well, mostly because Amnesia uses one and should be aware that launching nukes would be in breach of the agreement.

Does US law cover anyone outside the US?

I believe it forced companies in the US to ensure their products don't end up going via a third party to a banned country.
eg. If an American company sold me a laptop, they would be required to make sure I wasn't planning on posting it to North Korea.
Not sure how that sort of thing works in practice.

Microsoft are a US company, so it covers them. Likewise eBay.

The thing is that in the case of the stamp dealer he is not even dealing directly with North Korea, only selling something that once came from North Korea. I was trying to point out the ludicrous nature of his specific sanctions.


I thought that computers software was still treated as a weapons technology when it came to certain countries. Hence the export would have been banned initially. Though since they could have got the computers from China and the software from there as well.


Yes but I am not making any nuclear or biological weapons unless you think that the chilli I have in my fridge qualifies? Nor do I plan to launch any nuclear weaponsd. I have none to start with. For the vast majority of people this is really a non issue. It would really only apply to governments and research bodies.

I was wondering if they had Clippy pop up and say "It looks like you are trying to make a nuclear bomb. Would you like help with that?"

Brilliant

Pity they weren't using Windows ME instead of Windows 95. It would have set them back years