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Xref: sserve misc.legal.computing:1716 comp.org.eff.talk:9547 misc.int-property:615 comp.unix.bsd:6872 Newsgroups: alt.suit.att-bsdi,misc.legal.computing,comp.org.eff.talk,misc.int-property,comp.unix.bsd Path: sserve!manuel.anu.edu.au!munnari.oz.au!uunet!haven.umd.edu!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!think.com!ames!kronos.arc.nasa.gov!iscnvx!netcomsv!netcom.com!mcgregor From: mcgregor@netcom.com (Scott Mcgregor) Subject: Re: BSD Net/2 Distribution by UCB/CSRG Suspended! Message-ID: <1992Oct20.205420.8461@netcom.com> Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest) References: <BZS.92Oct19231432@ussr.std.com> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1992 20:54:20 GMT Lines: 39 In article <BZS.92Oct19231432@ussr.std.com> bzs@ussr.std.com (Barry Shein) writes: >This is what is known in law as a "chilling effect". No decision, no >court case (yet), but people are changing their behavior as if they >were under a court order. > >Very disturbing. Universities should not be bullied like this. Universities hold many patents and copyrights. They are not above bullying others they think (but don't know) may be infringing. If you independently replicate some of their course materials, or commercialize research covered by their patents you may find this out for yourself. Being in business (whether for profit (AT&T), or non-profit (Universities)) opens you to a great many risks, from contract infringement to unnwarranted suits. I think both parties are aware of the risks and willing to take them to achieve their other aims. I agree that it is unfortunate that this software is being removed from availability. If it turns out that there are substantial portions that were intentionally copied, I think the University will indeed have some responsibility for not living up to contracts it signed. I hope that is not the case and that the distribution can be continued again soon. There is certainly reason to suspect AT&T's motives at this time with the information that is currently publicly available. It will be interesting to see what other information comes out. -- Scott L. McGregor mcgregor@netcom.com President tel: 408-985-1824 Prescient Software, Inc. fax: 408-985-1936 3494 Yuba Avenue San Jose, CA 95117-2967