Unix source code...

[mcg at tekecs.UUCP]

WRT Lauren's note about submitting UNIX source code to the net:

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Date: 14 Jun 1983 at 1311-PDT (Tuesday)
From: mcg (Steven McGeady)
To: tektronix!"vortex!lauren"@LBL-CSAM,tektronix!lauren at UCLA-SECURITY
Subject: Re: Unix source code...
In-reply-to: Your message of Tuesday, 14-Jun-83 04:18:44 PDT.


My message contained less code that is typically contained in
"bug fixes" to the kernel and various other software. Although
there are no explicit references, I have always followed the
rule that if someone cannot construct a program or any major
algorithms from the distributed code, it is OK to distribute.

Thus, this rule prevents someone from sending even a few lines
if those few lines embody an algorithm which is important
to the application. On the other hand, it would allow someone
to send nearly a whole module, if it was impossible to
deduce the remainder of the code.

I have given a fair amount of thought to this, and believe
that I acted in good faith, providing an exposition that
few (if any) persons without UUCP source code could
benefit from. This is also consistent with the practice
of distributing bug fixes over the network.

If you have a different view of the legalities of the
situation, or (better yet) personal experience which would
invalidate my position, I would be interested in hearing about
it. I'm certainly not saying I'm not possibly wrong, I just
don't see it yet.

S. McGeady -  stevenm.tektronix at rand-relay
Tektronix, Inc.


P.s.:
BTW, since my submission was made from the USENET, rather than from
ARPA, the moderator would only get the choice as to whether to
distribute it to ARPA or not, if that. The message would have been
already flying around the UUCP part of the network.



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