Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!bloom-beacon!mit-eddie!uw-beaver!tektronix!reed!percival!omen!caf
From: caf@omen.UUCP (Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Distribution of shareware for profit without permission
Message-ID: <676@omen.UUCP>
Date: 5 May 88 20:47:14 GMT
References: <16428@cornell.UUCP> <697@csm9a.UUCP> <1594@looking.UUCP> <7812@brl-smoke.ARPA>
Reply-To: caf@omen.UUCP (Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX)
Distribution: comp
Organization: Omen Technology Inc, Portland Oregon
Lines: 27

Most (not all) shareware authors allow their programs to be distributed
for a reasonable media charge, provided the result is clearly labelled
as shareware which should be registered.  If you have doubts about a
particular program, contact the author.

For example, my shareware comms program ZCOMM is distributed by some of
the "shareware library" organizations.  The ones I am familiar with
have always made clear the shareware status of the program.

Life with DSZ is a bit more complicated because it *has* been ripped off
(copyright violation), pirated, and hacked to pieces.  I even get a few
complaints because of problems caused by hacked copies.  So, I insist
that companies wishing to distribute DSZ with other products get written
permission to do so, and that they agree to distribute DSZ.ARC exactly
as publiched by me, and remind users that the copy of DSZ they receive
this should be registered.  Qmodem is an example of this arrangement.

On the other hand, the last several versions of GT Power sold by P&M
software (Paul Meiners) have ripped off a Copyrighted version of DSZ
without any mention of DSZ being shareware and without paying any
royalties for the use of the Copyrighted material.

Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX          ...!tektronix!reed!omen!caf 
Author of YMODEM, ZMODEM, Professional-YAM, ZCOMM, and DSZ
  Omen Technology Inc    "The High Reliability Software"
17505-V NW Sauvie IS RD   Portland OR 97231   503-621-3406
TeleGodzilla BBS: 621-3746   CIS: 70007,2304    Genie: CAF