-> If you had a BASIC compiler for a long-dead computer, that you bought 20
-> years ago, and have no way of reaching the author or company (I have
tried
-> for about the last 10 years)...
-> This is a company on U.S. Soil - would you release the software to your
-> fellow community?
-> It is the ONLY full compiler for BASIC on the target machine.
-> I know what the community thinks now - or at least the half that
doesn't
-> care about copyrights... I've actually been accused of doing the
community a
-> "disservice" by not releasing the software much earlier... Gee, I paid
for
-> it - they didn't...
-> I also know there has been a push to release such "dead" software from
-> copyright, but the progress has been slow and apparently, from what
I've
-> heard, has been weakened and may not even cover such gems...
Discuss it with a lawyer. There are aspects to copyright law that may
work in your favour. For example, it has to be actively enforced. If
someone owns the copyright to a work, and someone else copies it
without permission, the copyright owner *must* take steps to end the
infringement. If he doesn't, then after a while the copyright may be
deemed to have lapsed, and after that anyone can copy the work without
permission.
There are plenty of "Philadelphia lawyers" here who will give you
advice. But only a real lawyer puts his reputation on the line when he
advises you. Talk to a real lawyer.
dow
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