Re: Advice on licensing not quite accurate...

[rubywand@swbell.net]

B.J. Major writes ...
 
> .... in the past few days I have found out some important information  
> regarding licensing from Apple concerning the copying of System software 
> disks (including other system disks that came with original //c and //e  
> computers, etc.)
> 
> For those not familiar with the story, I originally offered to copy a set
> of disks that came with the Apple //c computer for a person who had just
> picked up a //c in a thrift store and had no software for it.  These disks
> include System Utilities, The Inside Story, The Apple at Work, The Apple at
> Play, etc.  (There were similar disks included with the //e when purchased
> new.)
> 
> I was promptly told by Nathan Mates that I would require a license from
> Apple to do this copying legally.  He cited someone else that was
> distributing *their own* unique disks (not what I was doing, BTW)  and
> having to purchase a yearly license from Apple just so he could include
> ProDOS on it.  This situation did not and still does not apply to me.  I am
> not distributing my own collection of *anything* and tacking on Apple's
> ProDOS or other system to it.  I am offering to copy a set of original
> disks that do not exist anymore--even from Apple--for one other person.

     This is a valuable service. Were it not for such assistance from you and 
other csa2 members, many new and returning ][ owners would end up using their 
machines for doorstops.


> Second, the suggestion to go through user's groups to get these "licensed"
> copies made is getting to be a harder and harder thing to do for most
> people as user groups have been drastically reduced in number -- even in
> most larger cities.

     Besides, why should a user be forced to jump through hoops to satisfy a 
tiny clique of malcontents? As for a 90's Apple ][ users group possessing a 
"license", a few might. It could be fun to ask:

"Uh, pardon me; but, does this Users Group have the right to distribute Eamon 
games on ProDOS diskettes? Where is your _License_?"

"'License'?!"
"We ain' got no 'License'".
"We don't need any stinkin' 'License'!"


Or, perhaps, ...

"Say what?"


Or ...

"Sure. You wanna buy one?" 



> .... it has been confirmed on an emailed digest list that I received
> today that either obtaining an individual license or going through a user
> group is NOT always necessary to obtain System software.  This was
> confirmed on the telephone today, by Apple Computer.  Someone on the other
> end of the line who does direct development work FOR Apple made the call,
> found out, and emailed me immediately.  They will also be posting the
> information.  Apple confirmed on the phone that you may charge the person a
> fee for the media (floppies) and a copy fee, but not for the
> software--which is what I understood from the very beginning.
> 
> So I hope this puts this discussion and misguided advice given out on this
> subject to rest.

     Thanks for putting in so much time and effort to come up with a 
definitive answer.


Rubywand