Re: Object code vs source code
On Tue, Feb 22, 2000 at 04:49:19PM +1100, Don Sanders wrote:
> FYI a legal precedent that object code is not an adaption of the source code
> exists:
> http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/disp.pl/au/cases/cth/federal_ct/unrep1497.html?query=%22source%22%20and%20%22code%22#disp5
>
> Australian Federal court of appeals:
...
> <quote>
> I have reached the conclusion, not without some hesitation, that the
> programmes in object code are not adaptations, that is, translations
> of the programmes in source code.
> </quote>
>
> This confirms my suspicions that the use of the word "translation"
> in the GPL, means the same as it does in copyright law that is
> translation between human languages. I also consulted a few legal
> dictionaries that futher strengthened this view.
In contexts where that precedent is considered valid [are there any?], you
can make as many copies as you want of *any* object code and distribute
them to whoever you please -- there's no copyright protection for them.
Have fun,
--
Raul
Reply to: