"protected" in what way? Digital rights managed? No at all. Registered out the Kazoo so that it won't work if you don't kowtow Apple by doing so? Nope. Requires a serial number to operate? Only certain high end apps... but not their OS... or even most apps. So exactly WHAT do you mean by "protected"?
Try reading and quoting my entire reply next time. Read the article above. It says what I have been trying to say. I’m done arguing with you and anyone else in this thread.
Peace.