kraut@ut-emx.UUCP (Werner Uhrig) (02/14/88)
for those of you with a serious interest in an up-to-date analysis of the current legal situation, you may want to get hold of a copy of a publication put out by Micro Analyst Inc.: "SOFTWARE LEGAL ISSUES FOR MICROCOMPUTER USERS AND DEVELOPERS" It is being sold for $20 and can be ordered from Micro Analyst, P.O. Box 15003, Austin TX 78761, phone (512) 926-4527. I believe that the publication is an outgrowth of graduate research work done by the author under the guidence of a respected legal expert in the field of computer-related law here at the University of Texas (Professor Michael Kirk-Duggan). I am no lawyer myself and neither is the author, but I feel that the price is a worthwhile investment for anyone either writing or using software commercially. If you are writing software, it will prepare you to have shorter and more meaningful discussions with your lawyers; and if you use software in your business, it will help you understand better what your rights and liabilities really are. The Table of Contents includes sections on the following topics: - the rights of software owners (backing up software legally; employer liability) - laws affecting software users and developers (new legislation passed in 1986 and their limitations; state laws) - current court cases deciding the law (background and current cases) - information needed to market or purchase software (purchasing and publishing software - sale or license; legal protection; security) - protecting published software (copyright protection without filing; registering software; trade secret protection; contracts; patents, trademarks and service marks) - marketing or buying software abroad - Appendices include information on ADAPSO, a chronology and discussion of recent computer cases; copyright registration form and instructions. - a 3-page bibliography Disclaimer (or should I say "Claimer"?!): The author is a friend of mine but our only business relationship is that I am a satisfied customer of Micro Analyst Inc. <note: below follows a description of the book as taken from an adver- tising flyer from Micro Analyst> SOFTWARE LEGAL ISSUES FOR MICROCOMPUTER USERS AND DEVELOPERS ============================================================ (by Mary Herbst, Copyright August 1987) This book looks at legal issues of concern for both software users and developers. The scope is limited to microcomputer software and thus is targeted especially for them. Topics covered include the current state of legislation regulating the software industry, as well as recent court decisions. Licences, copyrights, patents, and the rights of both users and developers are discussed. The format of the book is general enough for anyone to understand while technically accurate so as to provide clear concise information. -- werner@rascal.ics.utexas.edu (prefered address) kraut@emx.cc.utexas.edu kraut@ut-emx.UUCP (or ...!ut-sally!ut-emx!kraut)