Can I legally use this software??

I recently bought a Mac from a former Full Sail University student.. He sold me the computer with several programs (Final Cut, Shake, etc..) that had been loaded on to the computer with Full Sail's volume license. I am wondering if I am legally able to use this software for my personal/business use? I am seeing it the same way I would as if I just bought a fully loaded used car.. But I don't want to be naive. I don't even know if this is the right place to post this but if anyone has any more info, it would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

DanielleJane said:

I recently bought a Mac from a former Full Sail University student.. He sold me the computer with several programs (Final Cut, Shake, etc..) that had been loaded on to the computer with Full Sail's volume license. I am wondering if I am legally able to use this software for my personal/business use? I am seeing it the same way I would as if I just bought a fully loaded used car.. But I don't want to be naive. I don't even know if this is the right place to post this but if anyone has any more info, it would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

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I do not know what the universities volume license entails...and if the software license can extend to you...but the analogy that buying a used computer is like buying a used car...is not accurate.

A "fully-loaded" used car has options that were installed at the factory...thus the manufacturer is controlling everything...and charging the appropriate extra $$$ for the upgrades.

Software that was installed onto a computer AFTER it was purchased...is a different situation. That's why many software titles have install DVD's, licenses, and serial numbers.

Again...I do not know if the universities volume license extends to you...but my educated guess is that it doesn't. It probably only applies to the person whom you purchased the computer from (a former student at the university)...but I could be wrong.

Very good of you to do the right thing...and ask the question!

- Nick

Another guess that it does not. Former student should have removed the software prior to sale. The Mac did come fully loaded with operating system but the software apart from the OS was added on by the University paying the licensing fee for it.

As Nick stated, it depends on the volume license. Universities use volume licenses on a regular basis to allow students to obtain operating systems and certain software. Software obtained through a university is normally licensed as an academic copy. Which means it likely can not be transferred or upgraded.

Ah, Full Sail. I remember it well. Taught there very briefly back when they cared about radio.

Anyway, the short answer to the question is no. And I suspect Full Sail would be VERY alarmed to find out that a student had sold the machine without erasing the university's software.

Assuming for a moment that the volume license allowed someone not affiliated with the university to use the software there is almost surely an additional problem in play here. If the software is governed by an academic license (likely) every license I have seen like that prohibits use of the software in for profit business situations.