DOS and almost all of the software from Microsoft are copyrighted.
You can read below about what recently happened to oldos.org.
Note the date; it was less than a month ago.
The reply from oldos.orgVIA EMAIL:
Demand for Immediate Take-Down: Notice of Infringing Activity
URL: http://www.oldos.org/files.htm
CASE #: 30535
06 May 2003
Dear Sir or Madam,
Microsoft has received information that the domain listed above, which appears to be on servers under your control, is offering unlicensed copies of, or is engaged in other unauthorized activities relating to copyrighted computer programs published by Microsoft.
1. Identification of copyrighted works:
Computer program(s):
MS-DOS 5
MS-DOS 6.22
Windows 1.01
Windows 1.02
Windows 1.03
Windows 1.04
Windows 2.03
Windows 3.0
Windows 3.1
Windows for Workgroups
Windows NT 3.1
Windows 95
Entertainment Pack
Copyright owner(s):
Microsoft Corporation
2. Infringing material or activity found at the following location(s): http://www.oldos.org/files.htm
The above computer program(s) is being made available for copying, through downloading, at the above location without authorization of the copyright owner.
3. Statement of authority:
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the information in this notice is accurate and that I am authorized to act on behalf of Microsoft, the owner of the copyright(s) in the work(s) identified above. I have a good faith belief that none of the materials or activities listed above have been authorized by Microsoft, its agents, or the law.
We hereby give notice of these activities to you and request that you take expeditious action to remove or disable access to the material described above, and thereby prevent the illegal reproduction and distribution of this software via your company's network.
We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Please advise us regarding what actions you take.
Yours sincerely,
******** - name removed for protection
Internet Investigator
for Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
United States of America
E-mail: Internet1@microsoft-antipiracy.com
Dear ********:
My name is xxxxxxxxx (edited by Therese), I'm writing in reply to your message on behalf of the staff of Old Os. First, I would like to apologize for any and all copyright violations against Microsoft by our website, www.oldos.org. I assure you that the files have already been taken down.
Please note the following considering our website. First, we have policies against currently supported Microsoft software, following the new plan in which your company phases out support for old operating systems. Also, our objective has never been profit, nor will it ever be. We are just a bunch of guys who love old computers.
In that same spirit, we understand that Microsoft operating systems are the most appropriate for running on these old machines. Therefore, on behalf of our staff, we would like to discuss possibly recieving your permission to post old operating systems on our site legally. We believe that software such as Dos 3.3 and Windows 1 and 2 are pieces of computer history, and that it's a shame that they are being sold on ebay for exorbitant prices, and that the common computer enthusiast, who can't afford paying hundreds of dollars for obsolete software, does not get to experience that history.
As I stated before, the files have already been removed, and they will stay down unless we get legal permission from Microsoft Corporation to place them back up.
I wish to discuss this further with you via phone, if this is amicable to you, please email me back with a contact number. I look forward to speaking with you *******.
xxxxxxx (edited by Therese)
Old Os Staff