[Info-vax] Licenses on VAX/VMS 4.0/4.1 source code listing scans

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 12/10/2021 8:10 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 12/10/2021 7:07 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> On 12/10/2021 4:50 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>>> On 12/10/2021 2:23 PM, Simon Clubley wrote:
>>>> On 2021-12-10, Dave Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com> wrote:
>>>>> Instead, I'll ask these questions.
>>>>>
>>>>> What is the problem, if there is nobody to question such usage?
>>>>
>>>> Ownership of assets doesn't cease just because a company fails.
>>>>
>>>> You are setting yourself and your customers up for a future owner
>>>> of the VSI assets to come after you, especially if you reduce the
>>>> resale value of those assets by coming up with a way to bypass the
>>>> need for existing VMS customers to purchase more of those assets.
>>>
>>> If there is an entity that allows my customers to continue, then 
>>> there isn't
>>> an issue, is there?
>>>
>>> If there is not an entity, who, other than you and Bill, is going to 
>>> really
>>> give a damn?
>>
>> There can be cases where there is an entity  willing
>> to sue copyright violaters without being  willing to
>> sell a license.
> 
> It occurs to me this can be reversed.  Customers have an implied, if not 
> more specific, contract with the vendor.  Should another entity acquire 
> the software, and not fulfill this contract, perhaps they could be sued 
> to force them to honor the contract.  Acquire the product, you also 
> acquire the responsibilities.
> 
> This could be fun.  Lawyers could have a field day.
> 
> :-)

If you happens to be the first in the history of mankind that
got a contract that gives you the right to purchase a given software
indefinitely out in the future, then you can sue.

If not then there is no case.

Arne