Are hackintoshs legal?

[bloo]

I'm considering building one but I want to make sure it is legal before doing so. Note: I will buy a copy of OSX not steal it.

[justpeon]

Personally, I no longer use Apple products excepting Cups, but I have kept the old software (os9/osx10.x) and chunked the Apple junk hardware. Now I prefer open source software only. OS/X is based on BSD which has no restrictions. Kind of two-faced by Apple.

ianal.... If you read the eula (end user license agreement), It at one time said you have to use Apple equipment to use the OS. How hard is it to get an Apple label and plunk it on a machine. What constitutes an Apple label? But the you might want to check out the DMCA rules and regulations. (They are a joke).

"You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer,"

http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/macosx105.pdf

Pystar was kicked in the rear:
http://www.groklaw.net/staticpages/i...p?page=Psystar

Steve Wozniak has been after Apple to open their systems.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/0...open-platforms.

[zeo]

Some have reported that they actually called Apple support and asked, and were told as long as they don't sell the PC or software for profit then they're okay with it.

The continued existence of hackintosh forums is pretty much proof of this... especially since it isn't that hard to take down a site that even names itself hackintosh :P

The EULA is pretty much the only thing that even brings it into question, as otherwise it'll fall under fair use. However, suing individual people is cost prohibitive and risks the possibility of them losing and setting precedent they don't want when they go after companies like Pystar.

So it's looked down upon but they won't go after you... Just don't call them for tech support, though some have managed that too but is kinda pushing it.