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From: "Thumper!" <thumper@vfr.interceptor.com>
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.development.system,comp.unix.bsd.386bsd.misc,comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.misc,comp.unix.bsd.netbsd.misc,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc,comp.os.linux.advocacy
Subject: Re: Lesstif vs. the OSF/Motif copyright
Date: Sat, 04 May 1996 14:13:11 -0700
Organization: Interceptor Systems
Lines: 36
Message-ID: <318BC867.5560@vfr.interceptor.com>
References: <NELSON.96Apr15010553@ns.crynwr.com>
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Axel Boldt wrote:
>
> "Thumper!" <thumper@vfr.interceptor.com> said:
>
> Thumper!> The basic rule of copyright law is: Unless you have specific
> Thumper!> permission to use something for the purpose you are using it
> Thumper!> for, you are in the wrong.
>
> Copyright law is about making and distributing copies and derivative
> works, not about use. You can use the ideas embodied in copyrighted
> work in every way you want.
"ideas" is far too broad a term. You need to define it better.
If you're talking about an "idea" like the "desktop metaphor" then yes,
you are correct, that kind of an "idea" cannot be copyrighted.
But if you're talking about an "idea" such as "how did they link X with
Y," then you are wrong.
I cannot stress this enough:
LEGAL TERMINOLOGY IS NOT THE SAME AS "COMMON" TERMINOLOGY.
Always, always, always seek legal counsel from an attorney familiar with
the exact laws of your state/country and clearly explain your questions.
Always ask even the dumb questions, because many attorneys don't
understand the complex types of software development we're talking
about, and you want to make sure you are not getting advice based on an
erroneous interpretation of the situation by your attorney.
Steve
--
Thumper! Leporidae Extraordinhare
thumper@vfr.interceptor.com http://www.interceptor.com/~thumper
"Life is to achieve the impossible"