Xref: utzoo rec.music.synth:17170 comp.sys.amiga:71764 comp.sys.mac.misc:5799 comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc:3710 misc.legal:22639 comp.sys.apple2:8521 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ub!uhura.cc.rochester.edu!rochester!pt.cs.cmu.edu!o.gp.cs.cmu.edu!andrew.cmu.edu!cs4w+ From: cs4w+@andrew.cmu.edu (Charles William Swiger) Newsgroups: rec.music.synth,comp.sys.amiga,comp.sys.mac.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,misc.legal,comp.sys.apple2 Subject: Re: Do *NOT* reveal or mention "hacking" information (was Re: paper clip trick) Message-ID: Date: 15 Nov 90 18:14:10 GMT References: <2716@polari.UUCP> <11071@milton.u.washington.edu> <1990Nov14.225343.4867@isis.cs.du.edu>, <1990Nov15.000626.25016@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA Lines: 31 In-Reply-To: <1990Nov15.000626.25016@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> >However, some software packages clearly state that you >are not purchasing a copy of the software, but that >you are purchasing a license to use the software. >They may also state that the actual software remains >the property of the seller, and that the money you >paid went only for a license. In this case, you DON'T >own it, you're just using a copy supplied with the >license. The diskettes in the box still belong to the >company, they're just being loaned to you because you >hold a valid license. >Read the license. There's a reason they make you open >the triple-sealed packages to get to the diskettes. >If you don't like the license don't use the software. >Steve Groom, stevo@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov What you are referring to is known as a "shrink-wrap" license. It was decided by Congress that without your signature that this type of licensing DOES NOT form a valid contract. Unless you sign a statement agreeing to their license, you ARE NOT legally required to abide by that license, regardless of what the software company claims. This comes under the "fair use" doctrine of the Computer Software Act of 1986, I think. I got this from a lawyer posting information last year about exactly what the law was in regard to software rights and US law. -- Charles William Swiger cs4w+@andrew.cmu.edu