Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tekcrl!tekgvs!toma
From: toma@tekgvs.LABS.TEK.COM (Tom Almy)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Old Software: what's legal/ethical?
Keywords: copyright, licenses
Message-ID: <6609@tekgvs.LABS.TEK.COM>
Date: 5 Jan 90 15:22:23 GMT
References: <1990Jan4.152944.8744@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu>
Reply-To: toma@tekgvs.LABS.TEK.COM (Tom Almy)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton,  OR.
Lines: 29


It depends on the license. In general, since it is an upgrade and not
a new purchase you can't sell/give away the old version, but can keep it
(you might find that you like the old version better!)

Most companies these days will spell out what you can do.

- If, instead of an upgrade, you are given a discount on the purchase of
  a new product, you can sell your old copy.

- Some companies tell you that you can give away your old copy (it is
  much like advertising -- if the recipient likes it, maybe he/she will
  purchase the new version.)  I've heard Borland does this, but I can't
  vouch for it.

- Some companies require you to send back the old version (particularly
  the distribution disks).

- Some companies require that you destroy the old version within a
  certain number of days. (I believe Lotus does this)

- A novel twist -- WordPerfect Corp's latest WordPerfect upgrade comes with
  a certificate allowing  transfer of your old copy (must be completely intact)
  to any high school without charge. The school gets a new license number
  and free support. A superb idea!

Tom Almy
toma@tekgvs.labs.tek.com
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