On Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:42:04 -0700, Darren New wrote:

> somebody wrote:
>> Does that mean a W2K user has free pass to patch the XP version to
>> bypass installation/registration?
> 
> I think it does, in the USA, yes. You're allowed to make modifications
> to something to get around compatibility problems.

Are you?  I've not heard that one before, I would think that might open 
the person making the modifications up to being prosecuted under DMCA.

>> Shouldn't it be respected nonetheless?
> 
> No. First Sale doctrine says that when you buy it, it's yours to do with
> as you like. In particular, you're not allowed to stop me from taking it
> to a different country and selling it for more. The "you're not allowed
> to buy it" is an attempt to get around that right, as is region-code
> locking.
> 
> It's a global market. People have to learn to suck it up.

That's why these days we don't "buy" products, we "license" them.  The 
ownership stays with the seller and any use that violates the terms of 
the license voids the license and your right to use the product.

I disagree with this model very strongly.  The laws in Germany prohibit 
this type of license - if you pay for something, you bought it, and the 
vendor can't restrict you from doing things to what you bought.  So I'm 
told by people who live there, anyways.

Jim

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