capn%uw-vlsi@sri-unix.UUCP (01/08/84)
From: Ed Mills <capn@uw-vlsi> Mike, My BIOS is based on a copyrighted version distributed by Ithaca for their system 2A with floppy drives. I can't leagally send that to anyone who doesn't already have Ithaca's version. The version I started with is however 2 years out of date from their current version, so if you called them they might not object to my sending you a copy. You might also try offering them $10 - $20, they usually just bundle it in with their CP/M. I can send you more details before you write them a check. I have Cache BIOS version 4h. My current version is about 50-50 theirs and mine. Their number is 1-800-847-2088. The person to talk to is Tim Bond. If you just want to exchange ideas about what might belong in a BIOS, I would love to talk to people about that. Perhaps a new list is in order? I neglected to keep a listing of the description I sent to the net, so if you could send me a copy, I will fill in more details where that one left off. Ed Mills capn@uw-vlsi
ABN.ISCAMS%usc-isid@sri-unix.UUCP (01/13/84)
Reference exchanging ideas about what might belong in a BIOS... I too am very interested, since I dearly love hacking about in my own Morrow Decision I CBIOS&. I understand the copyright problem (and agree with something like a BIOS), but I wonder what the ethical (and maybe legal) line is on sending parts of one to show how something is done, or to show the environment in whichd a particular hack fits. Like, if I invent a new wonderful I/O procedure, or how to set parity or something -- can I show the "before" and "after" without upsetting someone? Anyone know the legal niceties about this? Or a net opinion on the ethics? Would be glad to summarize. David Kirschbaum Toad Hall (ABN.ISCAMS@USC-ISID)
MMOON.ES@PARC-MAXC.ARPA (01/13/84)
Don't know the legaliteis, etc., but I know of no manufacturer who ever published pseudo-code. Can we translate the particular impilmentation of an algorithm, then communicate it? Can common sense guidlines work here? Anyone with legal credentials listening? MMoon.es
POURNE%mit-mc@sri-unix.UUCP (01/16/84)
From: Jerry E. Pournelle <POURNE@mit-mc>
under copyright and patent law, ideas and concepts are not
protectable, but specific implementtions are.
plaguarism can be brought in for sufficient similarities even
though the language is not identical: if plot and characters are
essentially the same, juries may and have found plagiarism.
Dunno if that helps.
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 84 12:08 PST
From: MMOON.ES at PARC-MAXC.ARPA
To: ABN.ISCAMS at usc-isid.ARPA
cc: capn at uw-vlsi.ARPA,
pur-ee!uiucdcs!parsec!ctvax!uokvax!andree at ucb-vax.ARPA,
info-cpm at brl-vgr.ARPA
Re: My BIOS for the Ithaca Intersystems 2A.
Don't know the legaliteis, etc., but I know of no manufacturer who ever
published pseudo-code. Can we translate the particular impilmentation
of an algorithm, then communicate it? Can common sense guidlines work
here? Anyone with legal credentials listening?
MMoon.es