perry@sbcs.UUCP (Perry Kivolowitz) (10/21/83)
Dont you think, Bill dear, that a single disk driver is kinda' useless if you don't already have a Unix source distribution? Or do you think that given a UDA-50 driver any dumb slob (perhaps even those who have the distinct and rare pleasure of working with a SUN product without source code) will be able to regenerate in its entirety the complete Unix kernel? Bill, you wanna be somebody's conscience? Do it in private.
ignatz@ihuxx.UUCP (Dave Ihnat, Chicago, IL) (10/23/83)
Perry, The following is my own opinion, and should not be taken as the official position of either AT&T Bell Laboratories, or Analysts International Corporation. I think you missed Bill's point. Disclosure of *any* source code for which you've signed a proprietary source license can be grounds for legal action. I don't care how trivial the code fragment is--and an entire driver isn't entirely trivial. Companies have little recourse under the law when it comes to nailing software thieves--patents, while available (slowly), are expensive and difficult to acquire, and even more expensive and difficult to defend. A copyright is much more easily acquired, but provides corresponding protection, or lack thereof. Therefore, most companies rely on non-disclosure contracts, such as any Unix(Tm) source licensee signed. And if presented with clear and defensible evidence of contract violation, it's in the company's interests to pursue prosecution to discourage such violations. Finally, I might point out that AT&T Bell Laboratories is moving into a new phase of existence after January 1st, one in which they have to compete with others on the open market; you could expect that they might be a little more attentive to such violations, mightn't you? All in all, I think Bill was doing everyone on the net a favor by reminding us that these source licenses aren't just a technicality, but both a professional obligation and a binding legal responsibility. Incidentally, I hate to sound stuffy, but just two weeks ago, a young guy at a convention made the comment that he'd just acquired a PDP 11/23; someone mentioned that I'm at AT&T Bell Labs, work with DEC machines, etc. So this young genius turned to me and asked, "You work with Unix?" Well, yes... " Yeah? Can you read the source?" Well, yes, I... " GREAT! Can you send me a copy?" Uh, what did you say? "I'd like Unix on my system. Can you download the source, or would a tape do?" The kid was young, so instead of walking away, I gave a brief explanation of why you don't steal an operating system. (See above.) "Oh. I guess you could look at it that way. Well, can you get me the source to RSX?" I walked away. What's worse, such incidents are far from rare; and they are the reason I can't fault any company for taking precautions. Oh well, off my soapbox now, Dave Ihnat Analysts International Corporation (contract site) AT&T Bell Telephone Laboratories Naperville, IL ihuxx!ignatz (312) 979-0946