wern@utzoo.uucp (W.Thiel) (01/20/89)
How to tell what's pirated ?
(I don't want to use it- but strictly speaking I might not
be able to tell)
I would like to have some clarification dealing with software as it
appears on Bulletin Boards and sometimes as Shareware packaged by
a commercial enterprise.
There appear to be several classes:
Strictly commercial with license included and an agreement to use
it only on the purchasers machine. Comes with serial number and
registration.
Example Borland, Ashton-Tate and Microsoft
Commercial with copyright notice but no serial number and registration.
Offers a Help line and updates
Example: Spinnacker
Shareware- the author says copy it as you like -but send money
and don't alter the thing in any WAY
Many good programs exist here and I hope we can encourage
the authors.
A program published and distributed by a magazine - has a copyright
notice in it - usually also the authors name
Example: BROWSE.EXE
programs written and distributed by individuals BUT compiled with
something like BORLAND or MICROSOFT or something which puts
the B or M copyright notice into the body of the executable
for all to see- we know that they mean PORTION's are supplied
by the compilers libraries etc.
And finally the goodies we see with documentation that
declares "put into the public domain"
Your comments are appreciated.
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| Werner Thiel <> uunet!attcan!utzoo!wern wern@zoo.toronto.edu |
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