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!dhesibrian@ncrcan.Toronto.NCR.COM (Brian Onn) (12/18/88)
In article <5138@bsu-cs.UUCP> dhesi@bsu-cs.UUCP (Rahul Dhesi) writes: >... 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. Hey, I like that idea, Rahul! I have tucked this away for future use. Brian. -- +-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+ | Brian Onn | UUCP:..!{uunet!attcan, watmath!utai}!lsuc!ncrcan!brian | | NCR Canada Ltd. | INTERNET: Brian.Onn@Toronto.NCR.COM | +-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+