CompuS Copyright
09-Oct-86 17:58:58
Sb: #35603-CompuS Copyright
Fm: MICHAEL DAUGHERTY 70003,3122
To: John Freeman 72437,2057
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John,
I had thought the whole idea behind "freeware" was to stimulate a type of
"bartering" system type distribution of software, and more or less "share
the wealth". When a programmer puts a program onto CompuServe it seems to
me that he in a way is "approving" of what is being done there with his
work. When Joe Blow comes along with only the thought of "making bucks"
off this hard work, it would be nice if he got the author's permission and
also it would be nice if the author could "determine" what was done with
his work. "Free" doesn't always mean "without restriction" you know! The
SysOps are supposed to "screen" for software that might be "stolen" or
"uploaded without permission", as we are just as vulnerable to law suits as
the BBS operators that are "abusing" the system. I think one of the main
issues here is that CompuServe does not just have "freeware" as uploaded,
but "restricted freeware" for CompuServe users only. After all, there does
have to be some reason for people to use CompuServe, and why should Joe
Blow benefit from the compilation efforts of CompuServe staff, he isn't
paying them a cent! Mike