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05-18-2001, 03:12 PM
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#1 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: MN or WI
Posts: 3,017
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Donated computers -- question on software legality
Ok, my work just picked up 2 PCs, from a branch office of a corporation that was closing and let us take what we wanted.
Now, I have the PCs, and there is software installed, but we never got any CDs or disks for the software, drivers, or anything. There was no agreement one way or the other to get software from these people, it was simply not mentioned in any way. What I want to know is, from a legal point of view, do we own the licenses for the software we have? I know they never formally agreed to give us any software, but does giving a computer with the software installed constitute an implied transferral of the license of the software, or do they still legally own the software? They do still have the software CDs.
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Paul M. Victorey ------------------ I am not responsible for any problems that may arise as a result of following my advice. This includes, but is not limited to, computer failure, loss of data, nuclear war, famine, boils, no clean laundry, your daughter running off with a biker gang, or armageddon. Take my advice at your own risk. |
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05-18-2001, 04:17 PM
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#2 |
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Guest
Posts: n/a
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I'd say no just because they bought the software.
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05-18-2001, 04:27 PM
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#3 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: nowhere.com
Posts: 4,819
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My understanding of it is the license has no bearing on what machine the software is used on or whose machine that is, but rather just a sort of "lease". You're purchasing the right to use it, you don't own it.
Therefore I would assume that unless the person who gave you the machines specifically turned over the software licenses, the software is only licensed to that person. Xayd |
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05-18-2001, 08:10 PM
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#4 |
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Member (7 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Posts: 66
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I bought a machine some years ago and the software was understood to come with it. It was purchased from a friend, but he didn't have any manuals, etc. I used the software...the opsys was Win 3.1, had Excel 2 and Word 2 (I think), I bought Quicken, some genealogy software, etc and ran fine for me. I think if I'd had a problem I might have gotten some flak from MS, but didn't happen. Kept the machine about 3 years until my present one which I purchased direct from Dell.
I think if you asked this question to 100 different people, you'd get 100 different answers. 
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Philo! An expert is anyone from out of town! |
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05-18-2001, 08:23 PM
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#5 |
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Member (12 bit)
Premium Member
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: LA, CA
Posts: 2,227
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What I want to know is, from a legal point of view, do we own the licenses for the so
No is the only answer. You would need the CD and licence/activat # and an agreement from the seller and you would need to accept the licence agreement as stated by the software company.
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05-18-2001, 11:25 PM
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#6 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: MN or WI
Posts: 3,017
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Had a feeling that would be the case. Dang, I hate spending money to license software for use on a FREE computer. And I think people in my office would NOT like it if I told them they'd be learning to use Linux from now on =]
Ah well, maybe I can get in touch with the people who donated this, to see if they'll give us the software, too, or if they still have a use for it. |
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