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Path: sserve!manuel!munnari.oz.au!sgiblab!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!ames!riacs!puma.arc.nasa.gov!lamaster From: lamaster@puma.arc.nasa.gov (Hugh LaMaster -- RCS) Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd Subject: Re: AT&T vs. BSDI --> 4.3BSD-NET2 distribution requires AT&T license!!! Keywords: AT&T 'Death Star' rises over BSDI's horizon [Tel. 1-800-800-4BSD Message-ID: <1992Aug1.010738.17750@riacs.edu> Date: 1 Aug 92 01:07:38 GMT References: <l6nibgINNje6@neuro.usc.edu> <1992Jul21.152007.1126@news2.cis.umn.edu> <1992Jul30.174414.28488@kas.helios.mn.org> Sender: news@riacs.edu Organization: RIACS, NASA Ames Research Center Lines: 65 In article <1992Jul30.174414.28488@kas.helios.mn.org>, rhealey@kas.helios.mn.org (Rob Healey) writes: |> In article <1992Jul21.152007.1126@news2.cis.umn.edu> rodeen@buddha.ncc.umn.ed u (Rick Odeen) writes: |> =I don't think this is a valid claim, Linus Torvalds developed the Linux |> =system in less than one year from scratch. |> = |> Where did Linus get 99% of his MODELS for Linux? Ans: USL and BSD |> UNIX. "We stand on the shoulders of giants..." |> |> In other words, he used models for OS concepts that originated |> in UNIX(tm). The system calls, the library calls, the utility |> names, the program names, the memory models, the networking, the |> file systems, the concepts of UID,GID,SUID,SGID, sticky bits, |> mountable filesystems on a tree, etc. These are all basic |> features of UNIX(tm) that he used when creating Linux. You'd |> be VERY hard pressed to find OS concepts these days that HAVEN'T |> passed through a UNIX(tm) kernel at some time in the past. For no other |> reason than UNIX(tm) is the OS most researchers work with on |> a day to day basis and what they tend to hack on. Even micro kernels |> like MACH and probably NT borrow QUITE a bit from the UNIX(tm) system |> in system call names and symantics as well as utility and program |> names. Hell, even that pathetic MSDOG lifts I/O redirection and |> directory command names from UNIX(tm), amongst other things. |> |> -Rob 1) Since when are "models", metaphors, and names "intellectual property". 2) What about MULTICS and IBM/TSS, both of which predated Unix and which contain many of the same models and concepts? IBM even ran Unix under TSS - remember Unix/370 and IX/370? 3) Who remembers the origin of every idea that went into MULTICS? 4) Imagine if automobile manufacturers were allowed to patent "models" or "concepts" like "station wagon" == "elongated family oriented passenger vehicle", or if movie makers could patent movie "concepts" like "action film for teenagers" or "sentimental adult drama". Suppose the inventor of the Pet Rock (TM) could then claim rights to the Pet Paperweight, the Pet Plant, and any other money making idea using the same "concept". 5) If book titles can be copyrighted, surely subroutine and program names can be too, right? Wrong. Book titles can't be copyrighted. Why should subroutine names. "The Congress shall have the Power ... To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries." [extract from Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.] -- Hugh LaMaster, M/S 233-9, UUCP: ames!lamaster NASA Ames Research Center Internet: lamaster@ames.arc.nasa.gov Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 Or: lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov Phone: 415/604-1056 #include <usenet/std_disclaimer.h>