Subject: v11INF3: Poll on copyrights Newsgroups: comp.sources.unix Sender: sources Approved: rsalz@uunet.UU.NET Expires: October 31 Submitted-by: rsalz@uunet.UU.NET (Rich $alz) Posting-number: Volume 11, Info 3 Archive-name: reader.poll In the past, I have not hesitated to publish copyrighted software. The unusual restrictions required by two recent authors, coupled with my growing concern and increased concern on the net, have led me to question whether or not comp.sources.unix should contain copyright software. I am therefore holding a non-binding referendum of the readership to see what people want. I make no promises, but hope the consensus is one I can work with. This is a complicated issue with no clear-cut answers. I'm most interested in opinions; facts will be treated with skepticism, unless you can provide citations. If you have an opinion, please mail it to me. I particularly want to hear from the people who write software, the people who archive it, and the people who use it. How does the copyright status of something that appears in this newsgroup affect its utility -- or even availability -- to you? If we've corresponded before on this issue, please refresh my memory. I have put a longish expiration date on this article to increase its visibility among Usenet sites. If you receive it via a mailing list or other distribution, please let me know that, too. Thanks, /rich $alz