[Grammar] Follow

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schoolo

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A question about some phrase:

"The warranty follows the product, not the owner"

I kind of get, based on the usage of "follow", that the warranty is an integral party of the product, not of the owner. So if it is sold to another owner, the old owner can no longer benefit from the warranty.
But I could not find a dictionary definition for "follow" that would fit this usage. Could it be that such meaning is a technical jargon used exclusively in field of business administration?
 

MikeNewYork

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As the product moves, the warranty follows. That fits definition #3 here: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/follow

Incidentally, while it is generally true that the original owner cannot benefit from a warranty on a product that was sold, it is not assured that the second buyer will covered by the warranty either.
 

Raymott

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Then could I write something like: "Bad luck follows him everywhere"?
You could, but not by analogy with, or justification by, the above.
 

MikeNewYork

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Yes, but I agree with Raymott.
 

schoolo

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But according to MikeNewYork, "follow" = "go in the direction of". So if a warranty could figuratively "go in the direction" of the product, then bad luck could certainly "go in the direction of " a person.
 

MikeNewYork

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I would say the "follow" that refers to "bad luck" would fit the definition 2B in my link better. English has many definitions for many words. "Context" is very important.
 

schoolo

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Definition 2b reads "to keep under surveillance". So , bad luck would "keep him under surveillance", but a warranty would "go in the direction of" the product?
 

MikeNewYork

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Sorry, I meant 2A. In your sentence, "Bad Luck" is personified, like a stalker.
 
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