Re: Delphi licenses question.

Chris Burrows wrote:

I must have misunderstood what you are saying. Are you suggesting
that it is illegal for me to use my copy of Delphi, which was
purchased in Australia, that is installed on my laptop, while I am
travelling overseas? Or is Hong Kong / China different?

While travelling, no, there's no way they could make such a restriction
stick.

The stated restriction does seem to imply, however, that if you *move* -
become a resident in another country, then technically you need to by a new
version of Delphi. The is not its intention (see below) and I personally
have serious doubts that this would actually stand up in court - at least
here in N.A. For example, if I move to the U.S. I really doubt my
Canadian-bought copy would be illegal for me to continue using there. If
this was really the case, then they could equally make a case that I cannot
use my Canadian copy to perform work for my American customers - since it is
supposedly only for *use* in Canada. Well, I have news - I've done lots of
work for American clients, and the work I produce for some of my Canadian
clients are also, in turn, sold to their American customers, so let's see if
anyone comes after me. <g>

It's clear to me what that clause is for: It is intended to prevent people
from deliberately purchasing from one country because, perhaps, they can get
a better price, even though they live in another country. In Gerald's case,
that means, *while living in China*, he cannot buy a copy from the Hong Kong
office and must purchase from the Chinese office. In my case, I can only buy
from Borland Canada, not from the U.S.

It is NOT intended to punish people that legitimately move *after*
purchasing a copy legally. Therefore (IMO), the action of Borland's Chinese
office is clearly out-of-line in Gerald's case and they should leave him
alone; they do not understand the purpose of the clause as described above.
The issue is whether, under Chinese jurisprudence, they can get away with it
or not. Hopefully Gerald can successfully fight it.

--
Wayne Niddery - Logic Fundamentals, Inc. (www.logicfundamentals.com)
RADBooks: http://www.logicfundamentals.com/RADBooks.html
"The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's
unfamiliar territory." - Paul Fix


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