dgs@dvncnms.Devoncnms.Unisys.COM (Dave G. Sokolowsky) (04/11/91)
If a software company (Sierra On-Line) no longer supports the Apple II line, what can I do to obtain a program they once produced? If an original copy cannot be purchased, can I legally make a copy, assuming I can find the program? Sorry if this has been covered before or should be discussed somewhere else. Dave S.
MQUINN@UTCVM.BITNET (04/11/91)
On Wed, 10 Apr 91 19:14:47 GMT <info-apple-request@APPLE.COM> said: >If a software company (Sierra On-Line) no longer supports the Apple II line, >what can I do to obtain a program they once produced? If an original copy >cannot be purchased, can I legally make a copy, assuming I can find the >program? > >Sorry if this has been covered before or should be discussed somewhere else. > >Dave S. hmmmm. This has been discussed before, but with no definite conclusion. The closest anyone came to a conclusion is that we are expected to do without. This may be legally correct, however much I may not like it :( One thing you could do is write the company (the old fashioned way.. paper and pen) and ask them what you can do about obtaining a copy of the program. You might want to ask if they'd even give a flip if you just copied a friends, considering they aren't losing any money on it. ---------------------------------------- BITNET-- mquinn@utcvm <------------send files here pro-line-- mquinn@pro-gsplus.cts.com
jdeitch@umiami.ir.miami.edu (Jonathan Deitch) (04/11/91)
In article <9104110016.AA02086@apple.com>, MQUINN@UTCVM.BITNET writes: > On Wed, 10 Apr 91 19:14:47 GMT <info-apple-request@APPLE.COM> said: >>If a software company (Sierra On-Line) no longer supports the Apple II line, >>what can I do to obtain a program they once produced? If an original copy >>cannot be purchased, can I legally make a copy, assuming I can find the >>program? >> >>Sorry if this has been covered before or should be discussed somewhere else. >> >>Dave S. > > hmmmm. This has been discussed before, but with no definite conclusion. The > closest anyone came to a conclusion is that we are expected to do without. > This may be legally correct, however much I may not like it :( > > One thing you could do is write the company (the old fashioned way.. paper > and pen) and ask them what you can do about obtaining a copy of the program. > You might want to ask if they'd even give a flip if you just copied a friends, > considering they aren't losing any money on it. > > ---------------------------------------- > BITNET-- mquinn@utcvm <------------send files here > pro-line-- mquinn@pro-gsplus.cts.com It might not hurt to see if you can track down the author(s) of the software as well. Usually, they have part of the copyright (along with the publisher) and would need to give permission too. One item of note : Old Beagle Bros. programs are available from Beagle Bros. on their BBS (sorry, don't have the # handy ...) and are free for downloading. They even put the docs up there with the progs for downloading. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone did that for orphaned programs ? - Jonathan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Internet : jdeitch@umiami.miami.edu | "Good musicians execute ------------------------------------------------- | their music but bad ones "I'm a Time Lord. I walk in eternity !" - Dr Who | murder it !!! "
rhyde@ucrmath.ucr.edu (randy hyde) (04/11/91)
Sierra On-Line was recently bought out by Broderbund. Go to Broderbund for the software. If a company goes out of business, the copyrights revert to the original author. If the software was developed by the "company", the copy- rights are considered assets of the company which can be sold to repay debts, etc. In any case, you are not allowed to copy the software, even if the company fades into oblivion. OTOH, if the rights truly rested with the company, did not revert to an original author, and were not bought by someone, who would be around to sue you if you stole it> *** Randy Hyde
bazyar@ernie (Jawaid Bazyar) (04/11/91)
In article <714@dvncnms.Devoncnms.Unisys.COM> dgs@dvncnms.Devoncnms.Unisys.COM (Dave G. Sokolowsky) writes: >If a software company (Sierra On-Line) no longer supports the Apple II line, >what can I do to obtain a program they once produced? If an original copy >cannot be purchased, can I legally make a copy, assuming I can find the >program? Nope. It's still illegal, even if the company has dissolved (Sierra is still around, but we can hope), as the copyrights often revert to the author. But if we're talking Sierra, copy it anyway. Who cares- they spit in our face. Spit back! -- Jawaid Bazyar | "Twenty seven faces- with their eyes turned to Senior/Computer Engineering | the sky. I have got a camera, and an airtight bazyar@cs.uiuc.edu | alibi.." Apple II Forever! | I need a job... Be priviliged to pay me! :-)
bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (Bob Sherman) (04/15/91)
In <13515@ucrmath.ucr.edu> rhyde@ucrmath.ucr.edu (randy hyde) writes: >Sierra On-Line was recently bought out by Broderbund. Go to Broderbund for >*** Randy Hyde Randy, please check your facts here.. Last I heard last week in the Wall Street Journal, the Brouderbund - Sierra deal was cancelled.. Seems they could not agree on who would run the newly combined comapny.. -- bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu | | MCI MAIL:BSHERMAN
6600yeti@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu (Jeffrey Yeti) (04/16/91)
In article <13515@ucrmath.ucr.edu> rhyde@ucrmath.ucr.edu (randy hyde) writes: >Sierra On-Line was recently bought out by Broderbund. Go to Broderbund for >the software. If a company goes out of business, the copyrights revert to the >original author. If the software was developed by the "company", the copy- >rights are considered assets of the company which can be sold to repay debts, >etc. In any case, you are not allowed to copy the software, even if the >company fades into oblivion. OTOH, if the rights truly rested with the >company, did not revert to an original author, and were not bought by someone, >who would be around to sue you if you stole it> >*** Randy Hyde I miss a lot of great software produced for the Apple//s, since they are assets, could not a few olden software writers/companies donate said olden software to public-domain for a tax write off? We would be all the better for thier generosity, and they would increase the Apple//'s intrest, no? I really would like some games like Bug Attack, Microwave, etc. Corre =)
gwyn@smoke.brl.mil (Doug Gwyn) (04/16/91)
In article <714@dvncnms.Devoncnms.Unisys.COM> dgs@dvncnms.Devoncnms.Unisys.COM (Dave G. Sokolowsky) writes: >If a software company (Sierra On-Line) no longer supports the Apple II line, >what can I do to obtain a program they once produced? If an original copy >cannot be purchased, can I legally make a copy, assuming I can find the >program? You can PURCHASE the (only) copy that some legitimate owner has, or you can get explicit permission from Sierra to make a copy. Sierra maintains ownership rights whether or not they choose to offer the product for sale.
a.guillaume@trl.oz.au (andrew guillaume) (04/17/91)
Doug Gwyn writes: > In article (...) Dave G. Sokolowsky writes: > >If a software company (Sierra On-Line) no longer supports the Apple II line, > >what can I do to obtain a program they once produced? If an original copy > >cannot be purchased, can I legally make a copy, assuming I can find the > >program? > > You can PURCHASE the (only) copy that some legitimate owner has, > or you can get explicit permission from Sierra to make a copy. > Sierra maintains ownership rights whether or not they choose to > offer the product for sale. What a pity software companies that have dropped or no longer support Apple II products don't follow the Beagle Bros' example in making their "old" software available via a BBS. I have recently managed to upgrade my beloved "boat- anchor" //c :-), and that has given it a new lease of life. I use it for educational purposes (for my two kids and for day care kids), and I find it very hard to get hold of "old" software ! Why don't I upgrade to a //GS, I hear you say ? Well, will you offer it to me :-). And besides, I wouldn't get rid of a member of our family !!! Andrew Guillaume Internet : a.guillaume@trl.oz.au
tomk@pro-sol.cts.com (Tom Kelly) (04/17/91)
In-Reply-To: message from 6600yeti@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu Beagle Brothers has made their OLD available for download on their BBS.
tomk@pro-sol.cts.com (Tom Kelly) (04/17/91)
In-Reply-To: message from 6600yeti@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu In previous message "OLD" should have read "OLD PROGRAMS".