>Hi JR,
>
>In Message#1662869, Rick Hodgin claims one or more of Chen's products violate the Microsoft VFP9 EULA and hence are not legal for use in the US (and perhaps other jurisdictions).
>
>That may have an effect on people or companies considering those products.
>
>You're the most experienced user of those products I know of. Would you or Chen care to comment?

In the U.S., the Copyright Office is moving increasingly toward consumers in their abilities to repair the tangible / physical items they purchase. A new ruling went into effect this morning at 12:00am (ruled on October 26, 2018, but went into effect October 28, 2018), which allows for new provisions and guidance from the Copyright Office allowing users to repair their devices in many cases. The ruling is fairly wide-sweeping, but does limit itself and is not a blanket provision. It does signal that the U.S. Copyright Office is recognizing the rights of individuals, and seeks to protect their investments from undue control from IP holders.

Ruling: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-10-26/pdf/2018-23241.pdf
Summary: https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2018/
Background: https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2018/2018_Section_1201_Acting_Registers_Recommendation.pdf

Stakeholder review: https://ifixit.org/blog/11951/1201-copyright-final-rule/