kevin@aablue.UUCP (Kevin Benton) (02/17/89)
[ fact only mode on ] Due to the fact that (as far as I can tell) the maps are NOT copyrighted at this point, ANYONE is legally allowed to publish the maps, for profit or otherwise. The question is not whether or not it is moral, or if you as a site want "junk mail" from it. Even if we as a network decide to add the #N YES or NO, it wouldn't keep the maps from being copied, changed, etc. [ fact only mode off ] [ opinion mode on ] It seems to me that the best way to handle it is to have a particular site, such as uunet hold the copyright to the maps, giving the standard "militantly public-domain" disclamer. [ opinion mode off ] [ soapbox mode on ] The funny thing of it is that UseNet is a COMMERCIAL network by definition, whereas FidoNet along with it's derivatives are not. The FidoNet has Copyright holds on the Nodelist (same as UUCP maps) and has sued people/companies for using the Nodelist in a "for-profit" manner. Neither UseNet, nor any part of it, holds a valid copyright on the maps. FidoNet IS a public network, but is made up of people doing what they do without expecting to profit from it. The fact of the matter is that FidoNet sysops usually can't justify running a FidoNet BBS for the net alone, but from the pure enjoyment as a hobby, most FidoNet sysops can. UseNet sites, on the other hand, can almost always justify the cost of the news, and everything that goes along with it. At our site, we can by being able to get answers from "techies" and "gurus" on the net, in case our "techies" and "gurus" can't figure it out. We also try to give intelligent answers where possible. The answers received are for profit in writing software for our business. We freely admit to that. I would hope that people think about this before complaining about their map info being distributed all over kingdom come... [ soap box mode off ] [ opinion mode on ] BTW, I'm one to say that the maps should not be distributed without the permission of each individual site. Result: all new maps that would deal with, I'll assume that if there is no #N entry, that the answer is NO until otherwise listed. This site neither plans to or does distribute map entrys in a mailing list manner. This site does not intend to use maps for mailing lists. It's unfair to the many sites who don't want the junk mail. [ opinion mode off ] Sorry about the many ramblings here, but I am tired of this worn-out topic. aablue!kevin replies via uucp ONLY - no need to tie everyone up in it...
len@netsys.COM (Len Rose) (02/18/89)
In article <450@aablue.UUCP> /dev/null writes:<-- That was pretty stupid of you.
# The funny thing of it is that UseNet is a COMMERCIAL network by definition,
# whereas FidoNet along with it's derivatives are not.
I don't see how you can possibly say the net is commercial.. In fact,we
work pretty damned hard at keeping it the opposite. You aren't half as
informed as you think you are.
Much deleted..
# Sorry about the many ramblings here, but I am tired of this worn-out topic.
It isn't worn out,and if you are tired of it, Hit "N" in your news reader.
I think it matters alot,and I am sure alot of people agree with that statement.
# aablue!kevin
# replies via uucp ONLY - no need to tie everyone up in it...
Because of your cute "/dev/null" you made it harder for people to reply
by mail.
--
len@netsys.com
{ames,att,rutgers}!netsys!len