[Info-vax] VMS VAX License for personal Microvax 3100 Model 40

[abrsvc]

On Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 2:48:53 PM UTC-4, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 7/27/2022 11:20 AM, Arne Vajhøj wrote: 
> > On 7/27/2022 10:52 AM, abrsvc wrote: 
> >> On Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 10:43:38 AM UTC-4, Arne Vajhøj wrote: 
> >>> On 7/27/2022 10:19 AM, Dave Froble wrote: 
> >>>> On 7/27/2022 3:59 AM, Andy Burns wrote: 
> >>>>> gah4 wrote: 
> >>>>> 
> >>>>>> Most likely this machine had a valid license. 
> >>>>> 
> >>>>> But only transferable to a new owner on payment of a fee. 
> >>>> 
> >>>> Ok, who is doing the transfers? 
> >>>> DC would do the transfer for, I seem to recall, $300. But DEC is no 
> >>>> more. So, is DEC's transfer still required, or, since DEC is no more, 
> >>>> then the requirement for the transfer is no more. 
> >>> Compaq bought DEC and all IP. 
> >>> 
> >>> HP bought Compaq and all IP. 
> >>> 
> >>> When HP split then HPE and HP Inc split the IP (I assume this went to HPE). 
> >> 
> >> Strange as it sounds, it is HP Financial that handles the licenses. 
> >> It may be part of HPE technically, but is known as HP Financial. 
> > I don't think it is strange. 
> > 
> > A long time ago someone leased a system meaning that DEC/CPQ/HP/HPE 
> > financials bougth the system and the VMS license, then the customer 
> > paid every month/quarter/year - after N years the lease expires and 
> > both the hardware and the license return to DEC/CPQ/HP/HPE 
> > financials. So they end up with a pile of old hardware and a pile of VMS 
> > licenses. So they figured out that they could sell those licenses. And 
> > they had the inside knowledge and power to grab the right to approve 
> > transfers.
> But, do they actually have that right? 
> 
> If they are not part of whatever organization might have the rights to the IP, 
> then perhaps not, and they are doing just what Simon is deploring.
> -- 
> David Froble Tel: 724-529-0450 
> Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc. E-Mail: da... at tsoft-inc.com 
> DFE Ultralights, Inc. 
> 170 Grimplin Road 
> Vanderbilt, PA 15486
Yes they do have the right to transfer licenses.  We do this all the time. There are also licenses available for purchase from leased equipment.

Dan