[plug] [link] An unexpected disadvantage of proprietary software

[Leon Brooks]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=582&e=1&cid=582&u=/nm/20021029/wr_nm/retail_kmart_bluelight_dc

    Kmart Corp., the bankrupt discount retailer, may get the red light
    in its bid to sell Internet unit Bluelight.com at a bankruptcy court
    hearing on Wednesday.

    Software giant Microsoft Corp. and others have filed objections to
    the proposed $8.4 million sale of Bluelight.com to United Online Inc.,
    citing software licensing and tax issues among their concerns. [...]

Here's the important bit:

    "The licenses that debtors (Kmart) have of Microsoft's products are
    licenses of copyrighted materials and, therefore, may not be assumed
    or assigned with[out] Microsoft's consent," Microsoft said in its
    objection, filed last week.

All your software are belong to us. There's the proof, in black and white, on 
public record.

Cheers; Leon