Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!lll-winken!uunet!ncrlnk!ncr-sd!hp-sdd!hplabs!hp-ses!hpcuhb!hpda!hpwala!cfisun!ima!mirror!necntc!necis!rbono From: rbono@necis.UUCP (Rich Bono) Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d Subject: Re: Commercial software in comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d Message-ID: <990@necis.UUCP> Date: 20 Mar 89 14:37:04 GMT References: <6191@bsu-cs.UUCP> <592@marob.MASA.COM> Organization: NEC Information Systems, Boxborough, MA Lines: 105 Somehow I missed the original post but in reference to: > From article by dhesi@bsu-cs.bsu.edu (Rahul Dhesi): > > As moderator of comp.binaries.ibm.pc I am supposed to draw the line > > somewhere between what is suitable for posting and what is not. > > > > I am intending to draw the line between commercial software and free > > software as follows: > > > > Ok to post: Software that does not impose a legal > > requirement on the user to pay for it. > > > > Not OK to post: Software that does impose a legal > > requirement on the user to pay for it. > > > > Sample license (call this example A), not OK to post: > > > > "If you use this program beyond a trial period you are required > > to pay $x." > > > > Sample license (example B), OK to post: > > > > "If you find this software useful, a payment of $x is requested." > > > As a poster of some of the questionable shareware (DOSGATE), I thought I would give my two cents worth... The reason for posting my creation to USENET is to allow the software to be used by people who need it. I discourage Pirating of software (or any other stealing)... So by placing my creation on an obviosly (SP?) open, and non-controled environment (meaning, unable to control who gets a copy and how many copies are made), I am in effect, giving away the software. I have a statement in my software that is similar to the following: "This product is a user supported software product, and as such is NOT free software. You are allowed to use this product for a limited period of time. After the trial period you must register with the author. If you send $xx or more, your name will be placed on the update list...." Note that I do NOT specify how long the trial period is. I require the regstration (and fee) to ward off those midnight calls on how to use the software, and from a user that wants me to customize the stuff for HIM/HER. My software is NOT cripple-ware... it does NOT contain limiting routines to force you to register... In my documentation I (usually) mention that it is ok to give your friends a copy, but if you give out more than 5, you must register with the author, this is to protect my commercial rights... you know, those guys who fill disks with "public domain" software and sell it for THEIR profit! In effect I am saying: If you like it, and want to support it, send some money. If not, then consider yourself to be still in the 'trial' period. If the NET wants to limit itself from this type of software, then that is fine... But I for one would like to be able to make the choice as to whether I want to pay for something or not. If receiving a copy of something that tries to force one to pay after a limited time. If you were responcible for all stuff like this, a LOT of people would be requiring you to pay for that piece of junk mail that you received in the US-mail... in one way or another... If you don't want something or don't want to pay for it, you return it... It is NOT reasonable to "return" software... (when electronically distributed), so you just stop using it, erase it (if you choose) from YOUR disks and never owe a penny. However, if you use it, and would like to promote future up-dates, then help the author along by letting him know. Even a kind letter would be appreciated! On the other hand, I VERY MUCH respect the job of a moderator. He does a thankless job, that is not easy to do, and takes up a lot of time. Because of human nature, we tend to complain when we don't like something, yet we are silent when things are going well (when is the last time YOU honked you horn, leaned out of your car window and told the driver next to you that you admire his driving skills, and that more drivers should be like him, and thanked him/her for setting a good example?). On this note: *** Thank you to Rahul for putting up with us all, and for the work you do *** and please help us to come up with a workable solution that allows authors to retain full commercial rights to their products, and allows users to pay for a product that they want to support, without sounding like begging for money! Authors should keep in mind how a program is distributed. If an author does not want his creation to be spread all over the world, then he should not allow his software to be distributed electronically... require a user to mail disks, or get a copy from the distribution point. We all realize that USENET, and the millions of telephone BBS's out there spread software. Good software spreads, bad stuff dies. So if someone could recomend a better "license agreement", that allows the author to protect his commercial rights (I don't want someone ELSE profiting from my stuff), then please let the authors know! In the meantime, I resort to sending a few copies out one-at-a-time... This is time consuming to me! Time that I could (and would rather) spend creating new software, or enhancing a earlier creation. (TIME = BITS) Rich Bono, NM1D -- /**************************************************************************\ * Rich Bono (NM1D) If I could only 'C' forever!! rbono@necis.nec.com * * (508) 635-6303 NEC Information Systems NM1D @ WB1DSW-1 * \**************************************************************************/