[Date Prev][Date Next] [Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index] [Thread Index]

Re: [Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>] Re: Debian & BSD concerns



On Tue, Mar 09, 1999 at 11:19:01PM -0500, Stephen Carpenter wrote:
> > It's also illegal in my police state to reverse engineer software
> > protected by IP laws..  You are advocating I do something illegal because
> > the company will not?
> 
> Which police State do you live in?
> I thought (it has been a while) that you lived in the US?

Yes, and it is illegal to revrse-engineer software.


> if so then I have seen many companies CLAIM that it is illegal to
> reverse engineer their IP...I have seen licenses which specifically
> tell you not to...
> However I am aware of no law or legal precident which backs up these
> claims. In fact...I have heard statements from some claiming that
> reverse engineering is not only not illegal, but protected under
> copyright law (not specifically...but certainly could be argued to
> fall under "fair Use")

Them have $$.  Me not have $$.  They sue, me lose.

I love capitalism.  If you're wrong I'd be screwed.  If you're right I'd
still be screwed.


> If you live in a difernt police state...then all bets are off (well they
> are here too...). I have even heard of proposed laws which would specifically
> make illegal reverse engineering...however I am not aware of any currently
> existing.

The license attached to the software should be enough to prevent reverse
engineering most likely.

-- 
Joseph Carter <knghtbrd@debian.org>            Debian GNU/Linux developer
PGP: E8D68481E3A8BB77 8EE22996C9445FBE            The Source Comes First!
To boldly go where no bunch of geeks have gone before :)   --Joel Klecker

Attachment: pgpzfpnq3zaHA.pgp
Description: PGP signature


Reply to: