In Autodesk case, judge rules secondhand sales OK

A Seattle judge ruled in favor of a man arguing that he has the right to sell secondhand software, in a case that had some people worried about an end to used-book and CD stores. EBay later banned Vernor from the site, based on Autodesk's complaints. The suit was initially filed by Timothy Vernor after eBay, responding to requests by Autodesk, removed the Autocad software that Vernor was trying to sell on the auction site. Vernor argued that since he was selling legitimate versions of the software - not illegal copies - he hadn't violated any laws.

But no matter how Autodesk describes the agreement with customers, it is transferring ownership to end-users, the judge, from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, found. Autodesk contends that it doesn't "sell" its software, but instead licenses it and therefore prohibits buyers from reselling it. Autodesk had argued that its restrictions on the way that buyers can use the software show that users license rather than own the software. "A person who buys a home is nonetheless restricted in his use and subsequent transfer of the home by property laws, zoning ordinances, and fair housing statutes," Judge Richard Jones wrote in his ruling. "No one would characterize the person's possession, however, as something other than ownership. Autodesk said it will appeal the decision. "We disagree with the Court's interpretation and application of copyright law so, on that basis, will appeal the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals with jurisdiction over this matter. Similarly, the court cannot characterize Autodesk's decision to let its licensees retain possession of the software forever as something other than a transfer of ownership, despite numerous restrictions on that ownership." The judge also agreed with Vernor's argument that owners of software have "first sale" rights under copyright law, which entitles them to "sell or otherwise dispose of" the copy they bought.

We will rely on more recent Ninth Circuit cases that, as the district court acknowledged, favor Autodesk's position," the company said in a statement. But he said he thinks the impact will be minimal. In previous arguments, both sides warned of dire consequences that could follow the judge's decision. Autodesk argued that if the judge decided that people own its software, prices will rise for end-users. Vernor has argued that if the judge ruled that the software was indeed licensed, then any copyright owner could impose severe restrictions on how their products are used.

But that argument ignores the secondhand market, which offers better prices for consumers, the judge noted. "Although Autodesk would no doubt prefer that consumers' money reaches its pockets, that preference is not a basis for policy," Jones wrote. For instance, book publishers could bar resale and lending, eliminating the used-book market as well as libraries. The judge denied Vernor's charges against Autodesk of copyright misuse. Even if he had ruled against Vernor, such fear was "misplaced," the judge said. "Although the interpretation of 'owner' in the Copyright Act no doubt has important consequences for software producers and consumers, the court is skeptical that its ruling today will have far-reaching consequences," he wrote.