"Lee K. Seitz" wrote:
>
> "The distribution and sale of this product are intended for
> the use of the original purchaser only and for use only on the
> computer system specified. Lawful users of this program are
> hereby licensed only to read the program from its medium into
> memory of a computer solely for the purpose of executing the
> program. Copying (except for one backup copy on those systems
> which provide for it -- see Reference Card), duplicating,
> selling, or otherwise distributing this product is a violation
> of law."
>
> So it would seem:
>
> a) the thrift store I bought this game at was selling it to me
> illegally. ("[...] selling [...] this product is a violation of
> law.") Does this mean Ye Olde Infocomme Shoppe is into hard-core
> piracy just by reselling original copies? Or am I reading this term
> too literally?
Legal notices are *meant* to be taken literally. And yes, unfortunately (for
this particular product) it is being resold illegally. The term "selling," in
the above only refers to selling copies, but the very first sentence ending in
"intended for the use of the original purchaser only" clearly states that
ownership cannot be transferred.
Of course, this is all very silly. Collectors have nothing to worry about;
the verbiage was written as such back then because piracy had a legitimate
impact on the industry. (Remember The Bilestoad?) I don't think anyone today
has anything to worry about. Activision is not going to take someone to court
for auctioning off Ballyhoo on ebay for $200.
--
http://www.MobyGames.com/
The world's most comprehensive gaming database project.
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