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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!cybvax0!frog!x!craig
From: craig@x.UUCP (Craig Lund)
Newsgroups: net.sources,net.legal
Subject: Copyright Notices in net.sources
Message-ID: <378@x.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 13-Nov-84 16:43:49 EST
Article-I.D.: x.378
Posted: Tue Nov 13 16:43:49 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Nov-84 03:47:44 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: Charles River Data Systems, Framingham MA
Lines: 19
Xref: cybvax0 net.sources:352 net.legal:90

Many of the better programs distributed through net.sources
contain copyright messages.  Usually "all rights" are "reserved".
Legally, when my machine copies the software, I am breaking 
the law.

I assume that an implicit right is granted to copy and use net.sources
software on the machine which I have attached to the network.  However,
I can only assume that the copyright message forbids 
providing the programs (at no charge) to my customers.

No matter what the author intends, by placing a copyright message
in their source code, they are inhibiting further distribution and
use of their software package.

I would like to request that software posted to net.sources contain
no copyright notices.  If a copyright notice is necessary, a paragraph
describing the distribution rights granted would be greatly appreciated.

REPLIES SHOULD BE POSTED ONLY TO NET.LEGAL, NOT NET.SOURCES