Path: utzoo!dptcdc!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!algor2!jeffrey
From: jeffrey@algor2.UUCP (Jeffrey Kegler)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Possible software THEFT!
Message-ID: <457@algor2.UUCP>
Date: 18 Apr 89 14:32:07 GMT
References: <4002@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu> <2893@rti.UUCP>
Reply-To: jeffrey@algor2.UUCP (Jeffrey Kegler)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Algorists, Inc., Reston VA
Lines: 25

In article <4002@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu>,
foss@iris.ucdavis.edu (Jim Alves-Foss) writes:
> Someone I know has spent considerable time developing the skills to become
> a programmer (specifically computer games). After a couple years of trial
> and error and detailed perfectionism a game was sent ...
> Now, an advertisement has appeared in a computer magazine promoting a VERY
> similar (if not the same) game from this company.

I should point out it can work both ways.  I once had a previous tenant
leave some piles of unwanted courseware in my apartment.  A few weeks after
I got him to take the stuff away I got a job teaching for Yourdon, Inc.,
and the guy decided I had clearly ripped him off!  Fortunately he had never
made a dime from his courseware, otherwise he probably would have sued me
and Yourdon.  "Really, I can explain, your honor!"

It is fairly unlikely that a software publisher would rip off a demo,
denying themselves access to the source code, support from the author,
etc., etc.   It is easier and cheaper to pay the royalties.  And of course,
while a lawsuit is unlikely ever to be won, they are taking the risk you
would file anyway, and that would be a major nuisance.
-- 

Jeffrey Kegler, President, Algorists,
jeffrey@algor2.UU.NET or uunet!algor2!jeffrey
1762 Wainwright DR, Reston VA 22090