Limits of Licenses

[John Cowan]

David Johnson wrote:

> I've seen several software licenses that say essentially "don't lend
> the media to your friend".

Well, those are EULAs, which are (colorably) contracts, not just copyright
licenses, and can require you to do lots of things.  The listmembers have been
reproved in the past for mentioning requirements to eat moose @%#$ in this
connection, so I won't mention it.

> I'm wondering why the law treats books and
> software differently.

Historical precedent, plus plenty of clout on the part of software publishers.

-- 

Schlingt dreifach einen Kreis um dies! || John Cowan <jcowan at reutershealth.com>
Schliesst euer Aug vor heiliger Schau,  || http://www.reutershealth.com
Denn er genoss vom Honig-Tau,           || http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
Und trank die Milch vom Paradies.            -- Coleridge (tr. Politzer)