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On 02/19/2012 02:21 PM, Chad Perrin wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:20120219222114.GA21680@hemlock.hydra"
type="cite">
It seems theoretically possible, at least, that a copyright
license could
affect or control use for a licensee<br>
</blockquote>
You don't have to be theoretical. Use generally requires the
production of an ephemeral copy, as would be made when loading a
program from disk into RAM. There's a carve-out for this particular
form of copying in 17 USC 117(a), but it only applies to the owner
of a copy of the program.<br>
<br>
17 USC § 117 - Limitations on exclusive rights: Computer programs
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<div xmlns:lxslt="http://xml.apache.org/xslt"
class="psection-1"> <a name="a"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(a)</span> <b class="labelleader">
Making of Additional Copy or Adaptation by Owner of
Copy.— </b> <span class="ptext-">Notwithstanding the
provisions of section <a
href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/106"
title="§ 106 - Exclusive rights in copyrighted
works" alt="§ 106 - Exclusive rights in copyrighted
works">106</a>, it is not an infringement for the
owner of a copy of a computer program to make or
authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of
that computer program provided:
</span>
<div class="psection-2"> <a name="a_1"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(1)</span> <span class="ptext-">that
such a new copy or adaptation is created as an
essential step in the utilization of the computer
program in conjunction with a machine and that it is
used in no other manner, or
</span> </div>
<div class="psection-2"> <a name="a_2"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(2)</span> <span class="ptext-">that
such new copy or adaptation is for archival purposes
only and that all archival copies are destroyed in
the event that continued possession of the computer
program should cease to be rightful.
</span> </div>
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<div xmlns:lxslt="http://xml.apache.org/xslt"
class="psection-1"> <a name="b"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(b)</span> <b class="labelleader">
Lease, Sale, or Other Transfer of Additional Copy or
Adaptation.— </b> <span class="ptext-">Any exact
copies prepared in accordance with the provisions of
this section may be leased, sold, or otherwise
transferred, along with the copy from which such
copies were prepared, only as part of the lease, sale,
or other transfer of all rights in the program.
Adaptations so prepared may be transferred only with
the authorization of the copyright owner.
</span> </div>
<div xmlns:lxslt="http://xml.apache.org/xslt"
class="psection-1"> <a name="c"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(c)</span> <b class="labelleader">
Machine Maintenance or Repair.— </b> <span
class="ptext-">Notwithstanding the provisions of
section <a
href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/106"
title="§ 106 - Exclusive rights in copyrighted
works" alt="§ 106 - Exclusive rights in copyrighted
works">106</a>, it is not an infringement for the
owner or lessee of a machine to make or authorize the
making of a copy of a computer program if such copy is
made solely by virtue of the activation of a machine
that lawfully contains an authorized copy of the
computer program, for purposes only of maintenance or
repair of that machine, if—
</span>
<div class="psection-2"> <a name="c_1"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(1)</span> <span class="ptext-">such
new copy is used in no other manner and is destroyed
immediately after the maintenance or repair is
completed; and
</span> </div>
<div class="psection-2"> <a name="c_2"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(2)</span> <span class="ptext-">with
respect to any computer program or part thereof that
is not necessary for that machine to be activated,
such program or part thereof is not accessed or used
other than to make such new copy by virtue of the
activation of the machine.
</span> </div>
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<div xmlns:lxslt="http://xml.apache.org/xslt"
class="psection-1"> <a name="d"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(d)</span> <b class="labelleader">
Definitions.— </b> <span class="ptext-">For purposes
of this section—
</span>
<div class="psection-2"> <a name="d_1"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(1)</span> <span class="ptext-">the
“maintenance” of a machine is the servicing of the
machine in order to make it work in accordance with
its original specifications and any changes to those
specifications authorized for that machine; and
</span> </div>
<div class="psection-2"> <a name="d_2"></a> <span
class="enumbell">(2)</span> <span class="ptext-">the
“repair” of a machine is the restoring of the
machine to the state of working in accordance with
its original specifications and any changes to those
specifications authorized for that machine.
</span> </div>
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