Re: Abandonware petition

[Stephen Shaw <xstephenx@apple2.org.za>]

Brendon then what about persuading Symantec to upgrade Copy ][+ and let us have
Version 10 :-)

On Wed, 18 Jul 2001 23:59:17 GMT, Brendon Woirhaye wrote:

> Although this is an honourable idea, it isn't as simple as it looks.
>
> I did some research a couple months back into Copy ][+, which is owned by
> the company that I work for (Symantec Corporation, which acquired Central
> Point about 8 or 9 years back).  Although the company has no financial
> interest in the old product, and won't prosecute anyone for using an
> unlicensed copy or even distributing it, the company cannot afford to
> release it as public domain.
>
> You see, it is possible that an old product may have used libraries or
> other code licensed from another company or individual.  For a company to
> release a product as public domain, it needs to make absolutely sure it
> owns the entire rights to do so - and that requires legal research.
> Particularly a company with big assets which may be a legal target.
>
> Thus is the case for Symantec.  We cannot afford to take the legal risk of
> releasing the software, and cannot justify the expense of the legal
> research (which would probably cost tens of thousands of dollars for Copy
> ][+).
>
> Some companies may be able to take the risk or in full control of their
> assets, but many others are probably in Symantec's situation - we'd like to
> do it, but can't take the risk.
>
> Brendon
>
>
> "Mo" <mygranny@'nospam'swbell.net> wrote in message
> news:WQk57.157$Lr2.5721@nnrp1.sbc.net...
>> A friend of mine sent this URL to me and it seems like a pretty good idea,
>> it's a petition for the release to public domain, software that's over two
>> generations old. Some of you might want to check it out. Here's the link-
>> Mo.
>>
>> http://mivox.com/essays/petition.html
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

-- 
All extremists should be taken out and shot!