Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft: You Need Permission to Sell Our Software

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the signed-permission-slip-from-mom dept.

IEEEmember writes "Microsoft has objected to the sale of bankrupt KMart's Bluelight.com Internet unit to United Online. Microsoft's objection to the sale is based on the non-transferability of software licenses protected by copyright law according to the Reuters story on Yahoo! News. This action by Microsoft should serve as a warning to any corporation that has a significant investment in Microsoft licenses. Dependency on Microsoft licenses may grant Microsoft the ability to veto your business decisions."

2 of 587 comments (clear)

  1. Insane but true... by SixDimensionalArray · · Score: 3, Redundant

    There isn't much to argue about here - it is an unfortunate fact but the fine print makes it so. Some companies do allow the transfer of software licenses but it is often so expensive it is easier to obtain new licenses and update the software in the process. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes..

  2. How so? by blane.bramble · · Score: 2, Redundant

    Surely if the business unit owns the licenses, and the *entire* business unit is sold (transferring the business unit to a new owner), the licenses are still valid, as they still belong to the (now renamed) business unit?