crandell@ut-sally.UUCP (08/25/83)
My research into copyright law has failed to yield the answer to a
burning question. Can someone help?
I heard a rumor a few months ago that a recent copyright case led
to the surprising decision that a program stored in a ROM or PROM is not
subject to copyright protection. To me, this seems outrageous! What
property of an electrically-readable monolith renders it legally distinct
from other text-inscribable media? The common practice of copyrighting
IC masks makes it even more incredible.
Can anyone confirm or deny this rumor? If it is true, can someone
provide any insight into the twisted logic which must be necessary to
rationalize such a decision?
Thanks.
Jim (ihnp4!ut-sally!crandell)