mjranum@gouldsd.UUCP (03/26/87)
Ok, a lot of people who were flaming me about uucp pointed out that all the UNIX source is licensed as a trade secret. This is obviously a crock of shit, since Lyons published the version 6 kernel as a textbook. So much for a trade secret. So much for 'cat' which is stubbed out in Kernighan & Ritchie, so much for 'dc' and a host of others. Anything that is printed in a TEXTBOOK is going to be plenty public, children. (for those of us who can read) Not that you want to know what I think, I'll tell you anyway: I think everyone's afraid of the slimeball lawyers and pissants who are really just an impediment to progress. I think NOBODY really knows the status of ~50% of the UNIX code but everyone is afraid to open their mouths. So much for the former pioneering spirit. That's what happens to something fun like UNIX when the hobbyists and students get bumped out by the degree-grubbers, yes-men and lawyer-kissers. Amazing that anyone manages to make any progress these days. I mean, gee, aren't you guys all scared silly that the descendants of Alan Turing are going to sue all the software developers of the world because HE came up with the idea of programs ? Get real. --mjr(); -- "It is better to shred the bugger than to bugger the shredder." -ancient doltic proverb.
wingard@ncrcae.UUCP (03/26/87)
In article <483@gouldsd.UUCP> mjranum@gouldsd.UUCP (Marcus J Ranum) writes: > > Ok, a lot of people who were flaming me about uucp pointed out >that all the UNIX source is licensed as a trade secret. This is >obviously a crock of shit, since Lyons published the version 6 >kernel as a textbook. So much for a trade secret... Yeah, and when I took an undergraduate course that used the Lyons textbook I had to SIGN AN AT&T NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT that stated I would relinquish my source listings of the version 6 kernel to the university for DESTRUCTION upon completion of the course or else the CS department would get their UNIX license pulled by AT&T...
pdb@sei.cmu.edu.UUCP (03/26/87)
In article <483@gouldsd.UUCP> mjranum@gouldsd.UUCP (Marcus J Ranum) writes: > > Ok, a lot of people who were flaming me about uucp pointed out >that all the UNIX source is licensed as a trade secret. This is >obviously a crock of shit, since Lyons published the version 6 >kernel as a textbook. So much for a trade secret. So much for 'cat' >which is stubbed out in Kernighan & Ritchie, so much for 'dc' and >a host of others. Anything that is printed in a TEXTBOOK is going to >be plenty public, children. (for those of us who can read) I dunno - I seem to recall that you couldn't even *get* the Lyons book unless you had a source license for Sixth Edition or later. --Pat.
wjb@goanna.UUCP (03/30/87)
In article <804@aw.sei.cmu.edu.sei.cmu.edu>, pdb@sei.cmu.edu (Patrick Barron) writes: > In article <483@gouldsd.UUCP> mjranum@gouldsd.UUCP (Marcus J Ranum) writes: > > > > Ok, a lot of people who were flaming me about uucp pointed out > >that all the UNIX source is licensed as a trade secret. This is > >obviously a crock of shit, since Lyons published the version 6 > >kernel as a textbook. So much for a trade secret. So much for 'cat' > > I dunno - I seem to recall that you couldn't even *get* the Lyons book > unless you had a source license for Sixth Edition or later. > > --Pat. The Lyons book has big notices in the front saying that it is only to be used by students enrolled in a particular course in computer science at the University of Sydney. There is also this notice: This document may contain information covered by one or more licences, copyrights and non-dislosure agreements. Circulation of this document is restricted to holders of a licence for the UNIX Software System from Western Electric. All other circulation or reproduction is prohibited. Warwick Bolam
pete@tcom.stc.co.uk (Peter Kendell) (03/30/87)
Summary: Expires: Sender: Followup-To: Distribution: Keywords: In article <483@gouldsd.UUCP> mjranum@gouldsd.UUCP (Marcus J Ranum) writes: > I mean, gee, aren't you guys all scared silly that the >descendants of Alan Turing are going to sue all the software developers >of the world because HE came up with the idea of programs ? Get real. *Which* descendants of Alan Turing? Get real yourself. -- Peter Kendell <pete@tcom.stc.co.uk> 'Have you no idea of development, of progress?' 'I have seen both in an egg. We call it Going Bad in Narnia.'
jack@mcvax.UUCP (03/31/87)
At the school I work, a student came in a couple of day, saying "Hey, look what I've got!", and showing me a copy of the Lions document. So, I immedeately borrowed it. I think I have permission to read it, since the school has a V7 license. However, the student doesn't, and obviously got the book in some illegal way. Now, I guess I won't be expected to hit him across the head and turn him into the next police station:-), but the thing that intrigued me is: Am I allowed to give it back to him? He obviously shouldn't have it, but then, it *is* his.... Moreover, I *think* (note emphasis) that it isn't his fault to have the book, it's the fault of the person who gave him a copy. Anyone care to enlighten me? -- Jack Jansen, jack@cwi.nl (or jack@mcvax.uucp) The shell is my oyster.
geoff@desint.UUCP (04/05/87)
In article <1236@bute.tcom.stc.co.uk> pete@stc.UUCP (Peter Kendell) writes: > *Which* descendants of Alan Turing? Rather an unarguable point he has there, but of course Turing *did* presumably have survivors to whom he left an estate. Presumably they could sue us. :-) -- Geoff Kuenning geoff@ITcorp.com {hplabs,ihnp4}!trwrb!desint!geoff