Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!purdue!bu-cs!encore!necis!rbono
From: rbono@necis.UUCP (Rich Bono)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d
Subject: Re: Commercial software in comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d
Summary: Interpretations vary...
Message-ID: <996@necis.UUCP>
Date: 24 Mar 89 15:24:33 GMT
References: <167.242944EA@mudos.ann-arbor.mi.us>
Organization: NEC Information Systems, Boxborough, MA
Lines: 64

In article <167.242944EA@mudos.ann-arbor.mi.us>, mju@mudos.ann-arbor.mi.us (Marc Unangst) writes:
> 
> Does that mean that if I have to register it if I post it to a BBS, and more  
> than 5 people download it?  Do I have to register it if I submit it to  
> PC-SIG, or another similar (on the up-and-up) shareware group?  If I take a  
> copy to one of my user group's meeting's copy sessions, and more than 5  
> people want a copy, do I have to register it?  Even if I don't want it?   
> Sounds more like you're nipping increased circulation of your program in the  
> bud.

	NO, NO... I was trying to keep others from "selling" my stuff... that
is all... if you deliver ONE copy to PC-SIG... then you only gave out one
copy...  If you gave out many copies to members of a users group, then you
should register. But if you places ONE copy into the users group library, and
it is a bona-fide users group, then I see no problem with that.
   I understand that I may have limited circulation.. But, that is what
happens when I try to think up some "clear" words to describe stuff like this
in the middle of the night when I am working on my code...

> 
> Why don't you just put a clause in the licence agreement that states, "This  
> is NOT public domain software.This is copyrighted software, and, as such, is  
> the sole property of the author.  No fee may be charged for this software,  
> with the following exceptions: A disk-copying fee not to exceed 8  
> (eight) dollars US currency may be charged; and bulletin board systems that  
> charge a general user fee may make this program available for download.  It  
> should be made clear to such persons that they have NOT registered the  
> program; they have merely paid for the disk, wear and tear on the copier's  
> drives, etc., and they must still register with the author after the trial  
> period has expired."
> 
> (You might want to run that by a lawyer before using it; I don't know any  
> more about copyright law than the next guy.)

	I am not a lawyer either, and since I am not "selling" software, I have
no income to support paying for a lawyer... But I will work on your ideas,
I thought that my statement implies what you have stated in less words..
   all this trouble is because people try to interpret what an author means
intead of just reading the words and literaly (sp?) applying them!!!!

As a Federaly Licensed Amateur Radio operator, we have a whole book full of
rules to "live" by... and many times a big controversy stirs up because "the
people" try to interpret the rules every which way,  what if this, and what
if that... They rarely just read the words and apply them.  Too many
philosophers (sp?) out there!!!   

The end result of this (to me) is that I am going to *try* to protect my
creations from others who want to profit by my hard work... If the net,
decides not to distribute bits when the author is trying to protect himself,
and also could use some optional income to help defray costs.. then so be it.
Society has rules to protect organization.. some good things do get lost
between the cracks of the rules... This is *life*!!

 

			I do apply the rules....

			Rich

-- 
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 * Rich Bono (NM1D)    If I could only 'C' forever!!    rbono@necis.nec.com * 
 * (508) 635-6303         NEC Information Systems       NM1D @ WB1DSW-1     * 
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