Re: ProDOS downloads

[pausch@saaf.se (Paul Schlyter)]

In article <e5ydncPwjt1_IWTZnZ2dnUVZ_vednZ2d@comcast.com>,
Michael J. Mahon <mjmahon@aol.com> wrote:
> Paul Schlyter wrote:
>> In article <mNCdne2g08EsqGTZnZ2dnUVZ_vudnZ2d@comcast.com>,
>> Michael J. Mahon <mjmahon@aol.com> wrote:
>> 
>>>Eric Shepherd wrote:
>>>
>>>>On 2006-09-01 22:28:45 -0400, Lyrical Nanoha 
>>>><lyricalnanoha@dosius.ath.cx> said:
>>>>
>>>>>There's always ftp.apple.asimov.net I suppose... dunno about legit but 
>>>>>certainly free (it hasn't stopped me from leeching anything!)
>>>>
>>>>Apple doesn't allow the ProDOS System Disk 4.0.2 (the last version of 
>>>>it) to be distributed online.  Syndicomm sells it through its online 
>>>>store. though.
>>>
>>>So let me get this straight--if anyone is willing to charge for
>>>something, then it can't be distributed free?
>>  
>> Not quite.... it works like this:  if the copyright holder has decided
>> it cannot be distributed for free, then it cannot legally be distributed
>> for free.
>>  
>> If it's distributed for free illegally, and it's not sold anywhere
>> and the copyright holder is not interested in selling it, he'll
>> probably take no action, and the people distributing it for free will
>> get away with it.
>>  
>> But if it's distributed for free illegally while being sold elsewhere,
>> it's much more likely that the copyright holder will object and take
>> action.
>>  
>> And you're not allowed to sell the stuff either without permission from
>> the copyright holder.....
>>  
>> 
>>>That's a crock.
>> 
>>  
>> No, not a crock, it's Capitalism....
> 
> I understand the legalities, Paul, but all Apple usergroups were allowed
> to distribute ProDOS and other Apple "system" disks for amounts that
> were usually just media cost (or free if you brought your own).
> 
> It seems to me that this is the deal that Syndicomm has, too.  I'm
> sure that Apple never granted anyone an *exclusive* right (except
> Claris in its day).
> 
> Flash forward to today.  There are still people who want to get
> physical disks, and Syndicomm (among others) is there to provide
> them for a small distribution fee.  But today's Apple usergroup
> is virtual, and is Internet-based, with "distribution costs" that
> approach zero.
> 
> So why isn't it completely consistent to have the system master
> disk images available for download, for those satisfied with bits,
> not physical media?  (Like bringing your own blank disk to a meeting.)
> 
> Apple used to have them online for free download themselves (do they
> still?).
> 
> -michael
 
If the earlier agreement which the Apple usergroups had still holds,
it could be distrbuted for free over the Net today, of course.  However
doing so would be a right, not an obligation....  :-)
 
Otoh, if someone really wanted a ProDos master, wouldn't they think
it's worth at least the cost of a diskette + postage?  Why this
expectation to always get stuff completely for free?
 
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