Freeware vs PD (was: filesystem programs)

[Pim Blokland <pDOTblokland@spcgroup.nl>]

Cturley2 wrote:
> 
> (..) I guess ZZCopy is still classified as freeware.  But, Photonix
> II is no longer freeware.  It's public domain now and has been for several
> years.

I'm a bit confused by your definition of "freeware" and "public domain".
Although your explanation is very clear on the subject, I've seen
several publications that were designated public domain by the authors,
but should have been freeware by your definition. And the reverse.
So, my question is: are these definitions "formal" descriptions of what
is what? Can I find "official" sources on this? Because this does raise
some legal issues... e.g. if someone releases some program and calls it
"public domain" by mistake, does this mean he loses all rights to it? Or
that he doesn't have any responsibilities towards it anymore?
-- 
Pim Blokland
if replying by e-mail, replace the DOT in my name with a dot.