The Software Link Explained

The Software Link, Inc.
Industry:	Computer software
Hq Location City:	Norcross, Georgia
Hq Location Country:	United States
Products:	PC-MOS, PC-MOS/386, LANLINK, MultiLink

The Software Link, Inc. (TSL) was a company in Norcross, Georgia that developed software for personal computers from 1986 to 1994. The company was co-founded by Rod Roark and Gary Robertson.^[1]

Products

• PC-MOS: an MS-DOS-like multiuser operating system with support for multi-tasking on serial terminals;^[2]
• PC-MOS/386: a later version of PC-MOS using features not present on processors prior to the 80386;^[3]
• LANLINK: a NetBIOS-ready local area network that leverages serial and parallel port connected platforms;^[4] and
• MultiLink: a multitasking environment for DOS.^[5]

History

PC-MOS figured prominently in the lawsuit Arizona Retail Systems, Inc. v. The Software Link, Inc., where Arizona Retail Systems claimed The Software Link violated implied warranties on PC-MOS. The case is notable because The Software Link argued that it had disclaimed the implied warranties via a license agreement on the software's shrinkwrap licensing. The result of the case, which Arizona Retail Systems won, helped to establish US legal precedent about the enforceability or otherwise of shrinkwrap licensing.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Caruana . Anthony . October 23, 2017 . Party Like It's 1987 – PC-MOS/386 Goes Open Source . Lifehacker . Pedestrian Group . https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063631/https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/10/party-like-its-1987-pc-mos386-goes-open-source/ . October 23, 2017.
2. Thompson . M. Keith . September 12, 1989 . PC-MOS Multiuser . PC Magazine . Ziff-Davis . 8 . 15 . 235–236 . Google Books.
3. Lach . Eric . November 17, 1986 . Multiuser Operating System to Use 386 Microprocessor's Virtual Modes . InfoWorld . IDG Publications . 8 . 46 . 15 . Google Books.
4. Crabb . Don . November 25, 1985 . Easy LAN, LAN Link, Multilink Advanced . InfoWorld . IDG Publications . 57–59 . Google Books.
5. 13 October 1986. New Products/Microcomputers: Micros: Systems . Computerworld . CW Communications . XX . 41 . 120 . Google Books.
6. Book: Lai, Stanley . 2000 . Copyright Protection of Computer Software in the United Kingdom . Bloomsbury Publishing . 180 et seq. . 9781847311740 . Google Books.