Legal used software sales/photoshop

<p>What happens to all the copies of old versions of PS when the new ones come out?<br>

Is there such a thing as a honest used reseller?<br>

I'm looking to purchase a full copy of CS2 or CS4, that isn't a upgrade, educational, something that isn't stolen and will work when I register it. Foget fleabay.<br>

Has anyone had any luck with any vedor like this?<br>

Jim</p>

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<p>What happens to all the copies of old versions of PS when the new ones come out?</p>

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<p>They get upgraded, and their serial numbers invalidated so that they can't be registered or upgraded again. In regard to your other two questions: no and no.</p>

<p>Ever since <a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2008/05/court-smacks-autodesk-affirms-right-to-sell-used-software.ars">Vernor v. Autodesk</a> it appears to be legal to sell used software in the US. The likelihood of actually finding some to buy that isn't bootleg is, however, low.</p>

<p>Oh, it's legal. And, for a $3,000-$10,000 autodesk installation that could be considered capital at a corporation (especially if they let a dozen CAD people go at once) it makes sense. CAD stuff is usually protected with hardware dongles.</p>

<p>Adobe's licensing setup makes it near impossible to sell software, because the buyer has to check to see if the serial number has been released, instead of still being registered once or twice, or invalidated by being used for an upgrade. There's a big difference between selling some media, and selling a license to use the software.</p>

<p>I don't know the figures but a lot of Adobe's sales are direct downloads and you get a registered serial number. There is no CD to "re-sell," making is hard to establish a secondary market here. Even if there were away to repackage a downloaded version, you would still run into the serial number problem as Joseph has noted.</p>

<p>Assuming one could find a trustworthy dealer, the dealer could include in the purchase agreement that the license had been released. Then if it hadn't, there could be relief in the contract, or the dealer would have committed fraud. It's no different from any other form of business that relies on good faith from both parties.</p>

<p>WRT the downloadable ones - so what, you include the downloaded files or the download link and associated rights with the license. It's the serial number that's valuable and was the focus of the court case, not the media.</p>

<p>It's good that you're concerned with the legalities; too many people don't care about ethics and/or law, and just do what they want. But I would just offer one observation with three subparts, related to legality: it can be a lot more complicated that the casual investigator might realize.<br>

(1) <em>Vernor v. Autodesk</em> might say what the website claims, but that's just one district court judge. Until the U.S. Supreme Court decides a point, or at least several federal appellate courts consider it and all decide it the same way, it's not settled law. In other words, some other judge somewhere else might well reach a different conclusion.<br>

(2) Intellectual property laws have changed a lot in recent years, in part trying to keep up with chaning technologies and commercial realities. Some case from a couple of years ago, presumably concerning what was the law several years ago, might have been superseded by Congressional enactment between then and now.<br>

(3) I think the average person should be very, very, very careful about reaching a conclusion about the law by reading a case or two, or a statute or two. There's a reason why law school takes three years, and why typically lawyers are only really able to handle matters by themselves after several years of supervised work experience--the law is often complicated, and often in non-obvious ways. And that goes double for intellectual property law--there's a reason why it is often found to be the highest-paid branch of law: because it's complicated and the stakes are often high. So take with a grain of salt the legal advice you get on some Internet forum, at least if the potential consequences are significant.</p>

 

<p>Thank you all for your responses. I was thinking along the lines of how there is such a resale market with eveything else, it's a wonder that Adobe or vendors haven't come up with a way to resell it themselves versus going to recylcing.<br>

The legality issue is a who other story, I'll read the link. Thanks</p>

<p>There are legal retail sales on EBay. Dealers who sell programs for less than the "Suggested Retail." By doing so, it increases their Volume. They may charge retail in their stores, or sell for less because of the profit them make on line. They are the same legitimate dealers who sell Adobe Products online.<br>

The programs are on discs which can be registered, in sealed packages direct from Adobe. Just because there are people selling on eBay who have used stuff, does not mean you cant get a good deal. Even buy upgrades to current versions, etc... <br>

Business, is business, and those who are selling products will discount prices. Even many stores like Frys Electronics, that has huge warehouse stores, sell online for less. They can do that because they are not paying overhead for as many employees, or store rental, etc. Their stores pay the overhead. Its no different than buying a Computer from them, buy it in the store you pay more. Bought my 20" Laptop from Fry's and got it for almost $1000 less than what it was being sold for from retail outlets elsewhere. They also service what they sell. Get better service than from Best or other stores.<br>

Buy using Paypal, and they give you as much protection as any credit card.<br>

Been buying online now since the 80's, never had a problem, as long as its from a company with a storefront. Like I got my Nikon D200 from a company in NYC, with a store in upstate in a small city. Got a full Nikon USA warrantee.</p>

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