Hack has several meanings in the technology and computer science fields. It may refer to a clever or quick fix to a computer program problem, or to a clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem. The term is also used to refer to a modification of a program or device to give the user access to features that were otherwise unavailable, such as DIY circuit bending. The general media also uses this term to describe the act of illegally breaking into a computer, better described as cracking.

Software cracking is the modification of software to remove protection methods: copy prevention, trial/demo version, serial number, hardware key, date checks, CD check or software annoyances like nag screens and adware.
The distribution and use of cracked copies is illegal in almost every developed country. There have been many lawsuits over cracking software, but most have been to do with the distribution of the duplicated product rather than the process of defeating the protection, due to the difficulty of constructing legally sound proof of individual guilt in the latter instance. In the United States, the passing of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) legislation made software cracking, as well as the distribution of information which enables software cracking, illegal. However, the law has hardly been tested in the U.S. judiciary in cases of reverse engineering for personal use only. The European Union passed the European Union Copyright Directive in May 2001, making software copyright infringement illegal in member states once national legislation has been enacted pursuant to the directive.

-------- Message original --------
Sujet : RE: [URGENT] Illegal Distribution of Copyrighted Software -- Immediate Action Requested
Date : Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:41:06 -0800
De : Ramage, Ian <IRamage@OMM.com>
Pour : <abuse@ovh.net>, <oles@ovh.net>
Références : <81BF9350D4F8D14F891CE7BC06F71614016F12CA@LACL3MSG2.firm.omm.com> <81BF9350D4F8D14F891CE7BC06F7161402937DF0@LACL3MSG2.firm.omm.com>



Sirs:

Please explain why the website referenced below, www. .com,
is operational again. The site is engaged in mass copyright
infringement.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ramage, Ian Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 9:14 AM
To: abuse@ovh.net; oles@ovh.net
Subject: [URGENT] Illegal Distribution of Copyrighted Software --
Immediate Action Requested
Importance: High

To Whom It May Concern:

We represent Apple Inc. ("Apple"). It has come to our attention that a
website hosted by .com, www. .com, is facilitating
the distribution of cracked versions of iPhone games (the "Files") sold
on Apple's website.
The Files are unauthorized reproductions of copyrighted material
distributed by Apple, and has been published without the permission of
Apple. Apple protects the applications sold on its website with digital
rights management technology that effectively controls access to and
copying of the applications. The publishers of this Files have
"cracked" that protection in violation of the anti-circumvention
measures of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C.
1201(a)(1)(A).
Apple therefore requests that you take steps to immediately disable this
website. Please notify me by reply e-mail once you have done so, and
feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,

/s/ Ian Ramage
Ian Ramage
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Embarcadero Center, 28th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: 415.984.8783
Fax: 415.984.8701
iramage@omm.com
DMCA Certification: I hereby state, under penalty of perjury, that I
have a good faith belief that the activities identified above are not
authorized by Apple, that the information in this notification is
accurate, and that I am authorized to act on behalf of Apple in this
regard.
This message and any attached documents contain information from the law
firm of O'Melveny & Myers LLP that may be confidential and/or
privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not read,
copy, distribute, or use this information. If you have received this
transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply
e-mail and then delete this message.