Photoshop Tutors

3 Responses to “Is it legal to use an old software?”

1. Jeff C
   May 18th, 2009 at 3:36 am

   Generally older software is still protected by copyrights as long as the company wants to protect it. Some very old software, late 80s and 90s have been released by the copyright holder to be public domain (i.e, free). I’m using Windows XP which is copyrighted 1983-2003, but its not free, its still protected by Microsoft. You can still use that old software as long as you agree to and follow the EULA (end user license agreement)

2. Tim C
   May 20th, 2009 at 3:37 am

   You are just fine using older software that is legally acquired. By legally acquired, I mean purchased, or maybe somebody isn’t using their old license anymore, and they gave their old version to you and bought the new one. .

   No, you are not free to use an older version without buying it just because a new version is out, unless the vendor of the software explicitly releases the older version as freeware or open source. In general, its not what you are thinking. Being out of copyright doesn’t let you use it for free

3. ron_liong92
   May 20th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

   1) As long as you purchased a license legally, then the software is yours to own and use.

   The “Copyright 2001-2004″ thing only means that the software code / name [e.g.: Adobe Photoshop CS's underlying codes] was a copyright active / registered in 2001-2004. After that, the 70+ years copyright remains, meaning you cannot release a software using the exact programming code as in Adobe Photoshop CS. Nothing to do with you using it.

   2) Your 2nd question is a bit weird. What do you mean by ‘ without buying (PS CS)’? If you meant you torrent or borrowed it, then no, it is illegal, and you cannot use it. Just because CS4 is out, doesn’t mean CS1 is not an Adobe product. But if you’re used to sitting in the grey area, I didn’t say anything. Just know that if they catch you, the law’s on their side, not yours.