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Used Software Can Be Sold, Says EU Court of Justice

Posted by timothy on from the over-and-over-and-over dept.

Sique writes "An author of software cannot oppose the resale of his 'used' licenses allowing the use of his programs downloaded from the internet. The exclusive right of distribution of a copy of a computer program covered by such a license is exhausted on its first sale. This was decided [Tuesday] (PDF) by the Court of Justice of the European Union in a case of Used Soft GmbH v. Oracle International Corp.."

3 of 385 comments (clear)

  1. Absolutely amazed by this decision by RoverDaddy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This has enormous implications. I just wonder how many threats to 'take their ball and go home' will ensue, followed by threads of 'I'm getting my dad (the US government)'.

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    RETURN without GOSUB in line 1050
  2. Well of Course by jasper160 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why not? I can re-sell my car, books, records, and cassettes. Software should be no different.

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    No good deed goes unpunished.
  3. Re:Diablo 3 refunds? by Colonel+Korn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I hope so... I know it won't happen in the US.... Which actually says a lot. As Americans we are used to getting what we paid for. If something sucks, we're entitled to our money back.

    No refunds in the US, but you can still sell it. I've made a separate Bliz account for each of their recent products and sold the account when I'm done with it. For their two most recent games, "done" came two days after purchase.

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    "I zero-index my hamsters" - Willtor (147206)