Re: Asimov & *LACK* of respecting programmers choices

[dastar@crl.com (Sam Ismail)]

Stainless Steel Rat (ratinox@peorth.gweep.net) wrote:
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: >>>>> "K" == Kevin <kkralian@aros.net> writes:

: K> Yes, the software was (is) copyrighted.

: 'Is'; copyright lasts for a long time, a lot longer than the computer
: industry and the programs we are discussing have been around.

: K> For a reason- It was sold commercially; people were making money on
: K> it.

: No, they are all copyrighted because the law says they are, simply by
: the act of creation.  Copyright is an implicit protection for any
: intellecutal property.  In fact, this message I am writing is
: copyrighted by me simply by my act of writing it.  The issue of
: comerciality has absolutely nothing to do with copyright law.

;)

: K> But a lot has changed over the last 12 years. It is no longer sold,
: K> no one is making money on it. The reasons for the copyright no longer
: K> exist, and, as can be seen, the companies/people involved are no
: K> longer enforcing them.

: You are ignorant of copyright law if you belive this last statement.
: You have the clearcut weight of both US and international copyright law
: against you on this.  Unlike trademark violations, there is absolutely
: no requirement whatsoever that copyright violations be pursued and
: prosecuted.  And there is no forfeiture or transfer of copyright except
: by *EXPLICIT* forfeiture or transfer by the holder of that copyright or
: the lapse of the copyright's duration.  It matters not a whit that the
: copyright holder is defunct or deceased; the copyright remains in effect
: for the duration:

: * Pre-1978 (published): 75 years after the date of publication (if the
:   copyright is renewed).
: * Pre-1978 (unpublished): copyright expires on December 31, 2002.
: * 1978-present (owned by individual): copyright lasts for the life of
:   the author, plus an additional 50 years.
: * 1978-present (owned by employer): copyright lasts 75 years from date
:   of publication, or 100 years from the date of creation, whichever
:   occours first.

: There you have it in a nutshell.  The fact that the companies no longer
: exist, or the authors may have died means nothing.  Those copyrights
: will remain in effect for at least another 30 years (I expect there is
: no unpublished software out there in the archives).

: I suggest you actually read up on the facts and basics of copyright law
: before spouting ignorant opinions.  There are a number of very good web
: sites out there with copyright information.  Or hit your local library.

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: -- 
: Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>    \ Happy Fun Ball contains a liquid core,
: PGP Key: at a key server near you! \ which, if exposed due to rupture, should
:                                     \ not be touched, inhaled, or looked at.

Ok, I just quoted your entire posting, with no omissions.  In fact,
I have mailed it off to a few friends.  I saved it to a local file
and I made a print copy that I will post around my work place.  I
just violated your copyright.  Take me to mcourt.
-- 
Sam
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Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete, Writer, Jackass