schriste@uceng.UC.EDU (steven v christensen) (07/03/89)
I while ago I asked the following question about self extractors. Here are the responses I promised. [my question] >There are quite a few archive programs out (PKPAK, PKZIP, LHARC, ZOO, and >probably some others I have forgotten). Most of these can create "self >extracting archives", files in .EXE format which will un-extract themselves >when run. > >What are the legal restrictions on a company distributing their commercial >code archived by one of the above programs, but made self extracting, >thereby you don't need the archive program itself. Are there restrictions? From: scotth@grebyn.com (Scott Hutchinson) Subject: Re: Self Extractors We are currently using PKSFX to create self extracting .ZIP files, the legal requirements are that you get a distribution agreement and pay for the rights from PK ware, it's speced out in the release.doc file that comes with ZIP092.exe and ZIP090.exe, They are extreamly reasonable price wise, and handle it on a case by case basis. Basically you pay a one time flat fee for unlimited distribution rights. Scott Hutchinson VANCE Systems Inc -- From: ho@fergvax.unl.edu (Michael Ho) Subject: Re: Self Extractors Restrictions vary from author to author. Most SW authors allow other SW authors to distribute in self-extracting files with no royalty (other than registering their own personal copy of the archiver, usually about $25). Contact the author directly. I've dealt a bit with Phil Katz, the author of virtually every SW program in the known universe which starts with the initials 'PK', and his policy is as I stated above. He does charge for commercial companies to distribute, and although such licensing agreements are private, he has suggested that the charges seem to be assigned on an 'ability to pay' basis; i.e., Fledgling Software of Kansas wouldn't pay much more than a one-time registration fee, while MicroHard Corporation of Hell would pay a few zillion. Of course, companies like that can write their own code. :-) From: 2212msr@whuxr.att.com (Max S Robin) Subject: Re: Self Extractors The author of LHARC encourages use of LH self extracting files as a distribution medium - no strings attached. SEA, author or ARC, have told me that use of their self-extracting archives is permissable for the distribution of Shareware (i.e. Copy righted material, try before you buy), but not for the use of commercial software without their express permission. They do however seem willing to give their permission in t this case, although there may be a licensing fee which I am unaware of. Max S. Robin AT&T Bell Laboratories From: jpn@genrad.com (John P. Nelson) Subject: Re: Self Extractors It depends on the archiver. The restrictions are entirely up to the author. I recommend using the ZOO format, which has no restrictions on redistribution at all. john nelson From: Bill Turner <bturner@hpcvlx.hp.com> Subject: Re: Self Extractors I don't know about the legal restrictions, but there are a lot of people who are paranoid about self-extracting archive utilities, since they present a potential vector for viruses. If you were going to use one for comercial software distribution, I would suggest that you do everything in your power to verify that it doesn't have a virus -- get the stuff directly from the author would be a start... --Bill Turner (bturner@hp-pcd.hp.com) --------------------------------------------------- I think what we are going to do is create a ZOO archive, then supply the program LOOZ on the disk (since the banner says it is PD) to unarchive it. It will be done automatically by the install program. If anyone has anything else to add, please write. Steven -- Steven V. Christensen U.C. College of Eng. schriste@uceng.uc.edu