Copyright -- was PC-DOS 3.3

[joseph c lang]

On Tuesday 13 December 2005 00:24, you wrote:
> On 12/12/05, woodelf <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> wrote:
> > While I have taken a few software packages from work to home to work at
> > home, like
> > DOS and some programimg software that never made it back later to work,
> > I for the most
> > part want to buy the software providing it reasonable. The same goes for
> > music , I don't mind
>
> One question. I often can find old abandoned PC's. Most of them are
> with software. Am I authorized to use  the software I found? One step
> further, could I copy them to my own PC and use them? Examples are MKS
> tool kit, MS C 6.0, several versions of DOS, Qedit, PC tools. I admit
> that I am not bothered by this issue. I am just curious about the
> 'main stream' opinion.
>
> vax, 9000

Using the software on the system it was originally installed on. No question 
in my mind. Since you didn't copy anything how could you possibly violate
the copyright. You may be violating the EULA,but you're not actually a party
to that agreement. The original owner would hold that legal liability. 
(they are usually required to destroy all copies)

If you copy to another system, well there's that nasty "copy" word...
Not permitted, but often done. 

If you move it to another system, we go from black and white to murky
grey.

I also am not bothered by this issue. 

joe lang