Autodesk wins court case, you officially don't own AutoCAD

Filed under: Design, NewsSeasoned Download Squad readers are probably already aware that you don't really own some of the software on your computer. You have a license to install and use it, but that's not the quite same as that software actually belonging to you.

It's a bit confusing to the average user, to be sure. Thankfully, we have the court system to help us sort out all kinds of confusing matters of legality, and a decision has been handed down which underscores the importance of reading your license -- and understanding it.

A U.S. appelate court has ruled [court ruling via Google PDF Viewer] that Autodesk -- makers of AutoCAD, 3ds Max, and Maya -- can go after those who re-sell previously owned copies of their software. Make that previously licensed, because you never really owned it, remember?

The target, obviously, isn't really individual end users. The case had been brought against Timothy Vernor, who purchased multiple pre-loved copies of AutoCAD 14 and proceeded to resell them on eBay. While you may not be planning that kind of manouver any time soon, it's still somewhat sobering to know how much control the licensor really has when it comes to software.

[via The Register]Autodesk wins court case, you officially don't own AutoCAD originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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