Xref: utzoo comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d:869 comp.sys.ibm.pc:18497
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!haven!irs3!blacher
From: blacher@irs3.UUCP (Robert Blacher)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d,comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: requests to post zoo
Keywords: ZOO COPYRIGHT
Message-ID: <522@irs3.UUCP>
Date: 29 Aug 88 14:44:32 GMT
References: <3668@bsu-cs.UUCP> <521@irs3.UUCP> <3757@bsu-cs.UUCP>
Reply-To: blacher@irs3.UUCP (Robert Blacher)
Organization: Computer Connections PCBoard, Wash.,D.C.
Lines: 40

Rahul -- A few points in reply:

(1) ZOO is your program so, of course, you can restrict use of it
any way you wish.  But, BBS systems are currently considering replacing
ARChives as our method of storing files in light of the insane position
that SEA is taking on copyright/trademark issues.  In evaluating ZOO as
a possible replacement, your copyright position must be looked at.  At
the moment, my own view is that your copyright adds too much complexity
and carries too many restrictions to be appropriate for BBS use.

(2) The fact that a group like CPCUG could write to you and obtain 
permission to put ZOO v2.00 on one of their disks is besides the
point.  That's a pain in the butt for both them and you.  Having
to seek your permission should be saved for *rare* cases at the
borders of your policy.  That's the whole idea of a clear statement
of licensing policy.

(3) You didn't respond to my point that CompuServe could not post
ZOO v2.00 with its current license so I have to assume that was
intentional.  You might as well know that the story is circulating
that you are associated with GEnie and that the $8.00 an hour figure
in your license was purposely chosen to allow GEnie to distribute
ZOO but not CIS.  *If* that's true (and I mention it to you for
the express purpose of your having a chance to dispel that story),
then that's a real problem.  BBS sysops can't adopt ZOO or any
other storage/compression system if the author of that system
is going to be playing favorites.

(4) I am in whole-hearted agreement with you with regard to organizations
that restrict further redistribution of programs or otherwise claim
a "compilation" copyright (a term that is much in dispute at the moment).
Your statements on this issue in the ZOO v2.00 executables docs weren't
clear enough for me to say whether the restrictions you've imposed get
you where you want to go without accidentally being overbroad.  I look
forward to seeing a more complete discussion of it in the 2.01 sources.

Finally, yes, my BBS is still alive and well and you're welcome to drop
by for a visit any time you wish.  I can well understand your giving
up on PC Pursuit -- that service is an utter disaster at the moment.

...bob