5 ms·

> That software is my property. I own it Technically, no. I'm pretty sure that if you cashed for a copy of WordPerfect on Apple II, that software was licensed

by lloeki 14y ago

> That software is my property. I own it Technically, no. I'm pretty sure that if you cashed for a copy of WordPerfect on Apple II, that software was licensed to you for unlimited time use and you don't own any bit of it.

mbreese 14y ago
It would be more correct to say that they own the physical media and a license to use the software on the media.
rmc 14y ago
That depends. Usually, yes the person owns it, in the same way you own a book or a VHS or a DVD. Copyright law prevents you from copying your software/book (Driving licencing law prevents you from driving the car you own without doing a test for example). This "licence" thing is usually a fiction sold to consumers by big companies to try to pull the wool over their eyes.
- singlow 14y ago
  The license is not a fiction. It grants you powers that you would otherwise not have, only holding the installation media. For example, it grants you the right to make copies of the software - usually one for installation, one for execution and one for backup. It does not, usually, grant you permission to make additional copies for execution on other computers (without deleting the first one). Your use of this software is not limited by the license, it is extended. Without a license, installation media for copyrighted software has no legal value.
- bitwize 14y ago
  Vernor v. Autodesk says otherwise.
ArbitraryLimits 14y ago
Well, this is really getting down to a philosophical level. You can't technically "own" any land at all in the United States, for example, the most you can get is unlimited use rights in perpetuity. Stop paying your property taxes for a few months and you'll find out who actually "owns" your land real quick.
- leot 14y ago
  All ownership is, at base, socially constructed legal artifice.
martingal 14y ago
Doesn't the license granted by SfY to Maya's parents include a 'peaceful enjoyment' clause ? Such clause should hold them harmless of any claim of 3td party patent infringement. And if the infringement can't be cured, SfY should offer them a replacement solution at no cost.

by lloeki 14y ago

mbreese 14y ago

It would be more correct to say that they own the physical media and a license to use the software on the media.

rmc 14y ago

That depends. Usually, yes the person owns it, in the same way you own a book or a VHS or a DVD. Copyright law prevents you from copying your software/book (Driving licencing law prevents you from driving the car you own without doing a test for example). This "licence" thing is usually a fiction sold to consumers by big companies to try to pull the wool over their eyes.

singlow 14y ago
The license is not a fiction. It grants you powers that you would otherwise not have, only holding the installation media. For example, it grants you the right to make copies of the software - usually one for installation, one for execution and one for backup. It does not, usually, grant you permission to make additional copies for execution on other computers (without deleting the first one). Your use of this software is not limited by the license, it is extended. Without a license, installation media for copyrighted software has no legal value.
bitwize 14y ago
Vernor v. Autodesk says otherwise.

ArbitraryLimits 14y ago

Well, this is really getting down to a philosophical level. You can't technically "own" any land at all in the United States, for example, the most you can get is unlimited use rights in perpetuity. Stop paying your property taxes for a few months and you'll find out who actually "owns" your land real quick.

leot 14y ago
All ownership is, at base, socially constructed legal artifice.

martingal 14y ago

Doesn't the license granted by SfY to Maya's parents include a 'peaceful enjoyment' clause ? Such clause should hold them harmless of any claim of 3td party patent infringement. And if the infringement can't be cured, SfY should offer them a replacement solution at no cost.