Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!uw-beaver!mit-eddie!bu.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!cbmvax!cbmehq!cbmcel!stoller
From: stoller@cbmcel.UUCP (Martin S. Stoller)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: THE MEANING OF 'PUBLIC DOMAIN'...Lets define it!!!
Summary: (PLACE FAVORITE SUMMARY HERE, FOR FREE!!!!)
Keywords: PD, FREELY DISTRIBUTABLE, LEGAL, COPYRIGHT, Amiga
Message-ID: <157@cbmcel.UUCP>
Date: 16 Jul 90 11:14:08 GMT
References: <1990Jul14.043408.20134@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>
Reply-To: stoller@cbmcel.UUCP (Martin S(adist). Stoller)
Organization: COMMODORE ELECTRONICS LIMITED
Lines: 50

I)	WHAT?  This is a call to the entire AMIGA PROGRAMMING SOCIETY,
FRED FISH, and Rom Kernal Manual Authors.  I wish to start a discussion
			 (==> NOT A WAR <==)
what 'PUBLIC DOMAIN' EXACTLY and LEGALLY means.  I don't believe  this has
been done before; if it has, we should check the validity of the definition.

II)	WHO?  All AMIGA programmers, especially those who have contributed to
the 'PUBLIC DOMAIN'; FRED FISH, as he is the leading AMIGA PD'ist; The
Author Team of the AMIGA RKM.  

III)	HOW?  Either EMAIL me your IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS/DEMANDS/FLAMES/ETC... and
I will EVERYDAY (except weekends/holidays- and the time 'tween 21-29 July) post
a summary (complete, except for double Ideas; you'll still get mentioned, don't
worry), I will not comment unless absolute necessary; OR we can start a group,
say COMP.SYS.AMIGA.PDDTEMP (PD Discussion Temporary); OR (bad idea, as
already too crowed here) use comp.sys.amiga as our work group.

IV)	WHY?  I have found that the definition of PD be something very fragile.
Some believe it to be another word for 'HACKERS PARADISE', other think 'PIRATES
FORTUNE' and still others don't even know what to think.  Since the 'TETR*S'
war, it has become increasingly clear that we of the AMIGA COMMUNITY must
define PD, to protect ourselves and Commercialists (as opposed to PD'ists).
If PD where defined (legally), then one would know what one could allow to
become PD, and what one shouldn't bother programming/creating/etc...

V)	STARTER:  Here are some general ideas, which should sporn everyone to
participate:  The 'COPYRIGHT', 'LEGAL' etc.. FILES or HEADERS of Files should
regulate WHAT a user of PD may do with the data.  Each PD software MUST have
such a file, with (it is best so) the name of 'COPYRIGHT' or 'LEGAL'.  Another
word for Public Domain is (and has been since the CBM PET!)
'FREELY DISTRIBUTABLE'.  Should this stay a synonym, or should it become
separate, or a sub-devision of PD as 'SHARE-WARE' and 'FREE-WARE' have become?
A 'WORLD' rate should be settled on for the distribution of PD-DISKS, using
the method Fred Fish uses in pricing.  The rate should be in US$ or Swiss
Francs, whichever is more practical. etc... Ideas wellcome!!!

Hope this works, your truly,


(I and my employer need not necessarilly agree with everything I can think up.
 Please send Flames in Asbestos Containers...)

-- 

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|  Martin S. Stoller,  cbmehq!cbmsub!cbmcel!stoller			     |
|  "We maverick maniacal Programmers must be machiavellistically marvelous"  |
|						...DEAMOND RING...	     |
|  "My RELIGION is 'C'; and my GOD is AMIGA..."  .M.S.S.		     |  
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