Does anybody own a functional copy of the EFrontiers Motion Artist 4.0?  I download the software way back when and really liked it, and finally decided to buy it the other day only to discover that Smith Micro no longer carries it and after finally communicating with E-frontiers Japan, I find that they have discontinued the software for any English sales at all...it's pretty much been scraped and left for dead.

My extended question is ...is it legal to purchase the software from someone who already bought it?  Like second-hand?  Or does that violate copyrights?  And since it's no longer even made or sold, would it even really matter?  No one holds a US copyright on it at this point apparently.  In fact, E-frontier Japan told me I could wipe my system every two weeks and indefinitely use the demo...so apparently they don't care to even sell it anymore.

I'm a little taken aback by all this...and still annoyed because I want this software and can't buy a dang activation code from the people who made it.

Does anybody have any suggestions or advice on what is legal and what is not?

Thanks...

unless the EULA specifically allows you to transfer the licence then you can't

If you're a "student" there seem to be several places selling the academic license. version. You could also check EBay. EF or SM or whoever sold it are the only one who can give you info on the transferability of the license for a used version. Some companies allow it, some don't. 

One MIGHT call into question the legality of a EULA that didn't allow you to sell your product/license to someone else. Not sure a case like that has ever seen a courtroom but it'd be interesting.

Quote - One MIGHT call into question the legality of a EULA that didn't allow you to sell your product/license to someone else. Not sure a case like that has ever seen a courtroom but it'd be interesting.

All Autodesk products do not allow the re-selling of their software licenses. There was a big legal battle onto this matter, but  I don't remember what the outcome was.

Thanks for the input folks.  The student versions send you to e-frontiers then reroute you to Smith Micro's 404 page.  The software is no longer sold in the United States.  And apparently E-frontier Japan, who owns it, is scraping the software entirely.  I'm not real sure on the EULA's being able to legally prohibit a transfer.  You can buy music CD's and resell them in pawn shops...without problem.  They can list whatever they want in a EULA, but truthfully I'm not real certain they can make it stand up in court necessarily.  I don't know.  I guess $1000 software gets more clout than a $12 CD.  Course this program sold for $50...so I don't know.  At this point I'm just giving up on it.   Why you would write a program and then just stop selling it is beyond me.  It was downloaded anyway...it's not like they were out printing box money or anything...no manual even.   Just dumb.  And I could kick myself for not buying it while I had the chance.  Thanks again for the input.

Quote - > Quote - One MIGHT call into question the legality of a EULA that didn't allow you to sell your product/license to someone else. Not sure a case like that has ever seen a courtroom but it'd be interesting.

All Autodesk products do not allow the re-selling of their software licenses. There was a big legal battle onto this matter, but  I don't remember what the outcome was.

The US Circuit judge ruled against Autodesk, ruling that AutoCAD is purchased, not licensed, and the First Sale Doctrine thus applies, so it can be resold, and that the EULA is not binding on subsequent purchasers ...

court-smacks-autodesk-affirms-right-to-sell-used-software

Edit: I should add, In the wake of this ruling, Autodesk settled the suit against them out of court.

Someone on eBay has Motion Artist 3.0 for £10; just search on Motion Artist...