LG Hamburg: Handel mit gebrauchten Softwarelizenzen

Das Landgericht Hamburg hatte zu entscheiden, ob ein Softwarehersteller den Handel mit gebrauchten Softwarelizenzen in Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen unterbinden kann. Darüber hinaus hatte das Landgericht Hamburg zu entscheiden, ob AGB-Regelungen zum Zukauf von Dritten wirksam sind.

Admissibility of trading used software licenses

The issue of trading in "used" software licenses has recently occupied the German courts more frequently. The relatively new and attractive business model infringes copyright and, not least, the manufacturers' interest in remuneration, which is why they regularly strive to address the problem through corresponding restrictions in the license terms. The effectiveness of such agreements depends significantly on the [...]

Unauthorized trading of used software licenses

Licenses from the original licensee and resale to a third party infringe the software manufacturer's copyrights. The manufacturer (author) of software can effectively restrict the power of disposal regarding the granted right of use with real effect, such that it cannot be further assigned. Any ineffectiveness of this contract clause under general terms and conditions law does not oppose this.

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