Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!indri!ames!xanth!mcnc!rti!sunpix!matthew
From: matthew@sunpix.UUCP ( Sun NCAA)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Rom copyrights
Message-ID: <597@greens.UUCP>
Date: 23 Apr 89 16:32:48 GMT
References: <82502GXH101@PSUVM>
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Research Triangle Park, NC
Lines: 24


[Thoughts about creating an archival (backup) copy of system firmware deleted]

Considering that Copyright law gives the user the right to generate a copy of 
rightfully obtained software for archival use (i.e. backup), and that firmware 
is nothing more than software in a non-volatile semi-conductor media, I believe 
that it is in the computer equipment owner's right to create archival copies of 
system firmware. 

This archival firmware would also fall under the same requirements of archival
software on any other media.  That upon sale of the computer, the archival 
copies must be given to the new owner of the computer or destroyed (either 
physical destruction of the carrying media, or total erasure of its contents.

As long as these guidelines are followed, you are protected under copyright law
as well as the owner of the copyright of the firmware you are archiving.



-- 
Matthew Lee Stier                         |
Sun Microsystems ---  RTP, NC  27709-3447 |        "Wisconsin   Escapee"
uucp: { sun, mcnc!rti }!sunpix!matthew    |
phone: (919) 469-8300 fax: (919) 460-8355 |