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Re: Removal of Packages from Hamm (!)



--On Fri, May 22, 1998 10:42 am -0700 "David Welton" <davidw@gate.cks.com>
wrote: 

> On Fri, May 22, 1998 at 06:12:46PM +0100, James Troup wrote:
>> David Welton <davidw@gate.cks.com> writes:
>> 
>> > So, the phrase in question is:
>> > 
>> > > Versions 2.2pre8 and above are copyright (c) 1992-1996 matthew
>> > > green.  Any modifications to this code may be redistributed with
>> > > this copyright attached.
>> 
>> Eh?  No, it's not.  Try:
>> 
>> | IRC II is copyright (c) 1990 by Michael Sandrof.  You have the
>> | right to copy, compile, and maintain this software.  You also
>> | have the right to make modifcations to this code for local use
>>                          (sic)
>> | only.
>> 
>> That fails #3.
> 
> Ok, let's look at the full license.
> 
> --------
> Copyright:
> 
> IRC II is copyright (c) 1990 by Michael Sandrof.  You have the
> right to copy, compile, and maintain this software.  You also
> have the right to make modifcations to this code for local use
> only.
> 
> Version 2.1.1 to 2.2pre7 are Copyright 1991, 1992 Troy Rollo.
> 
> Versions 2.2pre8 and above are copyright (c) 1992-1996
> matthew green.  Any modifications to this code may be
> redistributed with this copyright attached.            
> --------
> 
> My understanding is that we are only distributing "versions 2.2pre8
> and above" and that goes for all the derivatives as well.  So, doesn't
> this supercede the first part?  This is de facto free software.  It
> has been such for the past 3 or 4 years...  Doesn't this establish
> some kind of precedent?

I'm afraid not.  The original author, Michael Sandrof, has asserted
copyright.  Unless it is the case that >= 2.1.1 consistutes a complete
rewrite, (and the inclusion of the earlier copyright to me suggests it
doesn't) then his rights stand.  If we want to play this one by the book, we
need a declaration from Michael Sandrof that he has ceded copyright, or that
he is happy for free (including commercial) distribution.


But no, I'm not a lawyer.  

Jules

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