dhesi@bsu-cs.UUCP (Rahul Dhesi) (12/14/88)
I am facing a dilemma as moderator of comp.binaries.ibm.pc. (Long
message follows -- please read patiently.)
It is generally agreed that Usenet is a noncommercial network and its
use for direct commercial gain is frowned upon and, in the case of
Internet sites, is probably illegal.
Some software may be freely distributed, but requires a fee for
continued use beyond a trial period. It's hard for me to decide what
to do with such software when it is sent to me for posting to
comp.binaries.ibm.pc.
I really don't like being in the position of having to reject a
submission because it is too commercial. As moderator I get any
authority I have solely because Usenet users allow me to have it. But
Usenet users are a diverse lot and I can't please all of them at the
same time.
If you, the software author, will cooperate, I think I have a
solution. Use any reasonable license statement. I see nothing wrong
with your expecting to be compensated for your efforts.
But if you require a registration fee, then please consider including a
special clause like this one:
In keeping with the noncommercial, cooperative nature of the
Usenet network, the registration fee for this software is not
mandatory for those who obtain it directly from a Usenet site and
make only personal, noncommercial use of it.
Usenet users will appreciate your recognizing the special nature of
this network.
--
Rahul Dhesi UUCP: <backbones>!{iuvax,pur-ee}!bsu-cs!dhesiberger@clio.las.uiuc.edu (12/18/88)
I have a clever idea. How about an UNMODERATED software notefile
so we can avoid these problems altogether?
Mike Berger
Department of Statistics
University of Illinois
berger@clio.las.uiuc.edu
{convex | pur-ee}!uiucuxc!clio!berger