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From: chuq@sun.uucp (Chuq Von Rospach)
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac
Subject: Re: Facist Licensing Agreement
Message-ID: <4189@sun.uucp>
Date: Mon, 16-Jun-86 19:16:25 EDT
Article-I.D.: sun.4189
Posted: Mon Jun 16 19:16:25 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 18-Jun-86 05:15:48 EDT
References: <1012@spice.cs.cmu.edu>
Organization: Fictional Reality, uLtd
Lines: 59

> I found the following "Agreement", relating to the electronic distribution of
> the System, Finder, Font/DA Mover, and other related programs, in a file that
> was in in one of the GENIE downloading areas.  It seems to prohibit:
> 
>     [...]

> Now I find all five of these things that are prohibited by the "Agreement"
> with regards to downloaded software perfectly reasonable things to do (yes,
> even number four, though most users will never want to disassemble anything).
> We're talking about system software here -- the sort of stuff that every Mac
> user gets with the machine -- not MacTerminal or MacDraw.

Look at it from Apple's point of view.  They are trying to get that software
out to their user base.  At the same time, it is proprietary software, and
they want to make absolutely sure that they retain the rights to it -- there
is a lot of time and money invested in that stuff, and it wouldn't do to put
it out in such a way that someone like Amiga could just snarf it and
'borrow' the routines or get it placed into the Public Domain.

So you have a tradeoff.  You need to keep legal happy that the software is
only going to be used as it is designed to be used on machines that were
bought to use it, but you also want to make sure the people who need it
can get to it. I thought that the agreement was reasonable, personally. Some
of the items are overkill, but when lawyers get involved that is to be 
expected. 

> Of course, these five items aren't the only ones in the "Agreement".  It seems
> to contain just about every restriction I have ever seen elsewhere, and then a
> bit (check out the paragraphs about government use and about exports).  I have
> included its text below, since it seems to be activated by downloading a file
> whose description refers to it and not by simply reading it.

I don't know how GENIE does it, but every associated file on CompuServe says
that you are NOT to download it until you've read the license, and that
downloading it means you agree with the license.  You know what you are
getting into, so I don't see a problem with that.

The Government and Export sections are humourous, but don't blame Apple.
You wonder why hammers run $400? Take a close look at GSA or Pentagon
procurement sometime.  Apple was just following those regulations.

There is a simple answer, of course.  You don't like the license, don't
download the software. Wait until your dealer gets it and gives you an
upgrade copy. And wait, and wait, and ...

Personally, I think this is a BIG step forward.  maybe someone should look
at getting USENET or INFO-MAC licensed for redistribution.  I would, but
I simply don't have time right now.

chuq

-- 
:From the lofty realms of Castle Plaid:          Chuq Von Rospach 
chuq%plaid@sun.COM	FidoNet: 125/84		 CompuServe: 73317,635
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Dessert is probably the most important stage of the meal, since it will be
the last thing your guests remember before they pass out all over the table.
					-- The Anarchist Cookbook