Re: geotrans license: asking for advice

["Joe Smith" <unknown_kev_cat@hotmail.com>]

"Peter S Galbraith" <psg@debian.org> wrote in message 
27721.1223576861@mixing.lau.dfo-mpo.ca">news:27721.1223576861@mixing.lau.dfo-mpo.ca...
> Roberto Lumbreras <rover@debian.org> wrote:
>
> > Hi...
> >
> > I have packaged a nice software called geotrans (ITP #468918):
> > http://earth-info.nga.mil/GandG/geotrans/
> > whose author is NGA (US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency). You
> > can find my work at http://rover.thehackers.org/geotrans/
>
> I'm quite surprised that they are not claiming copyright under US law,
> but yet claim copyright under other jurisdictions (if I understood
> correctly).
>
> Traditionaly, software developed by the US government has had no
> copyright (i.e. public domain).  It is strange to see an outfit cliam it
> only in other jurisdictions.  Seems to go against the principle.

This interpretation of the relevent clause of the constitution has been 
around since the begining.
The Government can own copyright on works they developed, but are barred 
from enforcing the copyright inside the country or against American 
citizens. (It is one of those, or perhaps both, I don't rember which.)