IBM turning Power into Open Source?

[krw]

Again close When you "use" a program, you actually make many
copies of it -- at least in RAM and usually on the Hard Disk.
Additional copies in caches, buffers and swap probably count
as transient.

The difference isn't entirely trivial, because many people
can use the single copy that's in RAM. Multiple windows.
Modern OSes will automatically share codepages.

I believe there's legislation in the EU to specifically permit
copying software as necessary for use, but don't believe there's
anything beyond caselaw in the US.

Sure, but consider "OS/2 for Windows" (red spine OS/2). OS/2 would
load and modify the users Win32 so it could be run as a guest under
OS/2. This load/modify in RAM (a.k.a. "Ferengi Magic") was a way
around having a Win license in OS/2. "OS/2 with Windows" (blue spine)
was also available.

There are a lot of untested areas in IP law. The laws were written
with paper-publishing in mind and a lot of issues don't translate well
into software.

 

[glen herrmannsfeldt]

Robert Redelmeier wrote:

(snip)

Again close When you "use" a program, you actually make many
copies of it -- at least in RAM and usually on the Hard Disk.
Additional copies in caches, buffers and swap probably count
as transient.

So when I am reading a book the copy of the image into my
brain doesn't count, right?

Many systems now don't write the EXE file into swap space,
but instead reload it from the EXE file. They could even do
that for CD-ROM, such that no copy ever went to disk.

I believe that the ideas for libraries loaning books were
considered with copyright laws. I believe Benjamin
Franklin had was very much interested in libraries.

-- glen

 

[Robert Redelmeier]

So when I am reading a book the copy of the image into my
brain doesn't count, right?

Only if it's very transient
I don't think this has been considered.

Many systems now don't write the EXE file into swap space,
but instead reload it from the EXE file. They could even do
that for CD-ROM, such that no copy ever went to disk.

Very true. Thanks for the correction.

I believe that the ideas for libraries loaning books were
considered with copyright laws. I believe Benjamin
Franklin had was very much interested in libraries.

Yes, he was. But originally, there was lots of controversy
about lending libraries. Publishers thought them wicked and
tried to argue they didn't seel the book for that purpose.

-- Robert

 

[Robert Redelmeier]

Sure, but consider "OS/2 for Windows" (red spine OS/2). OS/2 would
load and modify the users Win32 so it could be run as a guest under
OS/2. This load/modify in RAM (a.k.a. "Ferengi Magic") was a way
around having a Win license in OS/2. "OS/2 with Windows" (blue spine)
was also available.

Ah, that brings back memories. Yes, Red spine would load and
modify other user software. Legally disputable.

There are a lot of untested areas in IP law. The laws were written
with paper-publishing in mind and a lot of issues don't translate well
into software.

True enough. I think at the time (1992), MS didn't want to
take on IBM. Now, I think they wouldn't hesitate.

-- Robert

 

[krw]

Only if it's very transient

Getting up there Robert? ;-)

I don't think this has been considered.

It's "fair use". If you could remember what you read, you would put it
to "good use". ;-)

Very true. Thanks for the correction.


Yes, he was. But originally, there was lots of controversy
about lending libraries. Publishers thought them wicked and
tried to argue they didn't seel the book for that purpose.

And records, tapes, video tapes, CDs, DVDs... I think the horse is out
of the barn on that one. Though Hollywood will certainly try to close
it. Perhaps you'll have to "register" your DVDs and player before you
can use them. Then you can ask permission to view them on new
equipment. Hmm, where have I heard this before?

 

[George Macdonald]

Again close When you "use" a program, you actually make many
copies of it -- at least in RAM and usually on the Hard Disk.
Additional copies in caches, buffers and swap probably count
as transient.

The difference isn't entirely trivial, because many people
can use the single copy that's in RAM. Multiple windows.
Modern OSes will automatically share codepages.

It may be "modern" to Billy & The Embalmer but single instance shared code
pages is hardly a new thing. I don't see that kind of stuff being any use
for multiple users apart from where the software is installed on an
application server... where there are ways to control it.

I believe there's legislation in the EU to specifically permit
copying software as necessary for use, but don't believe there's
anything beyond caselaw in the US.

Is this in respect to open source only or shrink wrap stuff? I'd think
that'd have a hard time making any way with high $$ stuff. Are they going
to force M$ to ignore the "activation" violations, or oblige the issuance
of multiple free dongles? You know if the EU is contemplating some new
ground breaking law, you have to figure, whatever it is, it's the wrong way
to do things.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??