Re: Asimov performs a valuable service; so why fight over it

[GUDATH@EZINFO.VMSMAIL.ETHZ.CH (Henrik 'Ratte' Gudat)]

Paul,

In <6hmj0v$hr$1@goanna.cs.rmit.edu.au> pfg@cs.rmit.edu.au writes:

> Yes it is, because you're wrong. As I mentioned previously with my 
> Ultima 4 example, Origin still maintains copyright to it, but it is freely
> distributable. Indeed, the whole ediface of shareware rests on the
> fact that an author can create software which he copyrights, yet still
> allow free distribution of it. Are you seriously trying to itimate that
> every person who's ever downloaded a shareware program is in fact breaking
> the law?!

No, definitely not. Seriously, I'm simply ignoring freeware and shareware in
this discussion because it's an inherent advantage of such software to be
copied freely (unless restrictions apply.)

[..] 
> inaccurate. Remember: copying a copyright program is *not* automatically
> piracy... shareware is built on the foundation of allowing free distrubition
> yet still maintining copyright.

Yes, that is certainly correct. The free distribution, however, may be
restricted by the owner, for example by not allowing to bundle the software on
CD-ROMs or upoloading it. Anyway, I think shareware and freeware software are
not important to the discussion because we have to deal with hardcore
piracy of commercial titles in a first step. :-)

cu,
henrik