Re: [edlug] Stallman's talk

["John Sadler" <jms1@xxx.xxx.xxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Catriona & Anand" <trianand@xxx.xxx.xxx>
To: "David Marsh's listreading hat" <lists2004@xxx.xxx.xxx>;
<edlug@xxx.xxx.xxx>
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 5:32 PM
Subject: Re: [edlug] Stallman's talk



On Friday 28 May 2004 15:59, David Marsh's listreading hat wrote:
-------------------------8<--------------------------
>
> Unfortunately, by then, they've already been using Windoze (etc) for
> months and work practices are set in stone.
>
> They've already spent that money on Windoze, so it's been spent, it's
> gone. They can't get it back.
>
-------------------------8<---------------------------

Actually, there is another consideration. Many charities will have donated
hardware, often of uncertain provenance. Can they demonstrate that the
copies
of proprietary OSs and applications are legally licensed. Part of the job of
IT support for such organisations is to audit the risk of legal challenge on
the software they use. The cost of new Windows + MS Office for just a couple
of machines can be significant. Especially if it turns out that the old
machines have to be replaced because they won't run XP or 2000.

Anand
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I thought if they sold the installation discs with the machine then that did
not involve any copyright infringements.

Again if there is no installation discs but there is a rescue disc which
reinstalls the machine to purchase state I think that the European courts
would probably uphold that as not being a copyright infringement. Watch if
you go to the USA as USA is out for every penny it can get.

No means of reinstalling with the machine then that is a copyright
infringement.
as effectively there is now a second copy for use.

-
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