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From: benn@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP (T Cox)
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac,net.rumor
Subject: Re: Fascist Licensing Agreement
Message-ID: <352@sphinx.UChicago.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 6-Jul-86 14:01:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: sphinx.352
Posted: Sun Jul  6 14:01:27 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 7-Jul-86 01:21:37 EDT
References: <1019@spice.cs.cmu.edu> <12082@amdcad.UUCP> <1326@well.UUCP> <12148@amdcad.UUCP> <103@van-bc.UUCP>
Reply-To: benn@sphinx.UUCP (T Cox)
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  With regard to Apple distributing new System and Finder via CompuServe,
  sl@unix.UUCP (Stuart Lynne @ SLI) writes:

>(In point of fact CServe is setup to pay Sysops a percentage for 
>traffic on various areas like Maug. Perhaps some of this is being channeled
>back to Apple. I would doubt it though.)

CServe pays between 5 and 22 percent comission on the revenue generated by
a database or forum [according to popular press -- I've not spoken with
CServe officials on this].  MAUG's a high-volume area, so it's probably a 
low percentage [or ought it to be a high percentage for high volume?]  I
am under the impression that MAUG is run by an independent users' outfit 
so I *sincerely* doubt that Apple gets any kickbacks.  I imagine that Apple
authorized MAUG as a distributor of upgrades simply because (1) they could
still legally claim to be maintaining copyright and control of copying
[if you fail to attempt this, you may lose your copyright in court!] and
because (2) it's faster and more convenient for many [not all] Apple
customers.  Without MAUG, that one copy downloaded in Vancouver wouldn't
exist, and you'd all still be waiting.  Apple can't condone it without
jeapordizing their copyright [I hope I have that right or I'm gonna look
even dumber than usual] but you *will* note that they're making it pretty
easy for all of us to obtain the upgrades quickly from friends.  

>It will be interesting to see if Apple pay's any attention to this ongoing
>dialog. Possible reactions could include:
>
>	- no more distribution via BBS

  Find me a faster way and I'll agree.

>	- a more intelligent agreement which reflects reality

The reality of common copying practices, or the reality of copyright
laws?

I hope that someone out there who *really* knows about this [the legal 
requirement that one protect one's copyright or lose it] will post something.
I, however, refuse to crosspost to net.vile-creatures.  I mean, uh, net.legal.

"God I hate lawyers.  Don't quote me on that; I may need one."

-= Thomas Cox =-
CompuServe:  76317,3121
GEnie:  CLIPJOINT
UUCP:  c/o ...ihnp4!gargoyle!sphinx!see1