Path: utzoo!mnetor!tmsoft!robohack!woods
From: woods@robohack.UUCP (Greg A. Woods)
Newsgroups: comp.sources.d
Subject: Re: Paying for Shareware (Was: Re: v09i070: newsclip 1.1...)
Summary: leave the legal nonsense to the lawyers, and write software!
Message-ID: <1990Feb7.064835.15143@robohack.UUCP>
Date: 7 Feb 90 06:48:35 GMT
References: <13986@s.ms.uky.edu> <33975@watmath.waterloo.edu>
	<14010@s.ms.uky.edu> <34004@watmath.waterloo.edu>
Organization: R. H. Lathwell Associates:  Elegant Communications, Inc.
Lines: 43

In article <34004@watmath.waterloo.edu> bstempleton@watmath.waterloo.edu (Brad Templeton) writes:
> [ stuff ]

I agree to most of what was above re licenses and copyright.

I do not agree to the comment about fair use.  I think there are quite
powerful arguments in similar situations which apply quite well (i.e.
the un- solicited book in the mail, etc.).

I feel quite comfortable with the thought of actively retrieving
software (shareware) from a BBS, and using it, without breaking the
copyright, and without breaking any contract, and without paying any
money.  Copyright infringment only applies if the author makes a
reasonable attempt to prevent any such infringment.  Posting your
"product" to a BBS certainly isn't making an attempt to prevent
copyright infringment!  Posting to Usenet, in any form, be it in
comp.sources.unix, or comp.shareware, is clearly an un-solicited
offer.

Let's forget all this legal mumbo-jumbo, and get on with writing
stuff.  For those of you who feel you need some form of reimbursement
for your efforts, I offer you the best of luck with shareware.  I have
in the past, and will in the future, offer monetary rewards for
software which I truely appreciate, especially in those cases where
the author can use a helping hand.

However, if making money is your goal, and you are not interested in
putting in the effort to market, sell, and support your product, you'd
best look for a more reliable source of income.  My best wishes are
all you'll get from me, certainly you'll not receive any sympathy or
active help in your "cause".

Shareware was a neat experiment in the PC world, and provided both
developers and consumers with a great deal of experience.  I have no
doubt that it will survive actively into the future.  However I have no
patience for anyone who tries to use coercion or asinine "moral"
aggression in an attempt to make me pay for something I already have.

-- 
						Greg A. Woods

woods@{robohack,gate,tmsoft,ontmoh,utgpu,gpu.utcs.Toronto.EDU,utorgpu.BITNET}
+1 416 443-1734 [h]   +1 416 595-5425 [w]   VE3-TCP   Toronto, Ontario; CANADA