This is from a BBS I am on
Apr 10, 2003 16:24 from Scalar To: Intellectual Property Law at Apple Re: open-ended licensing? (Re: Apple II ROM-code) I've been thinking about this some more, and I'd appreciate it if you could pass this along to the person who is working on a response. I wrote last week: > > Does Apple still claim ownership of the ROM-code of the > Apple II series, even though none of the computers have been > sold in more than a decade, and the Apple II is considered > "obsolete/vintage" by Apple? In view of how copyright is handled for movies and music, Apple most likely retains the ROM-code copyright even if it does nothing at all with ROM-code. It is definitely not "public domain" or "freeware" unless Apple says it is. In that light, would some sort of open-ended, low-cost or free licensing be possible? I see Apple is already giving away very old and unsupported versions of the MacOS. System 7.5.3 in its full and complete form is available for free download, as long as people abide by the license agreement included with the download. Perhaps something similar could be done with the Apple II ROM-code? Download full versions of System 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, etc: http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/Englis h-North_American/Macintosh/System/Older_System/ I'm not the only person interested in using an Apple IIe emulator to use old educational software. I've been talking with tech people at other k-12 public schools and they too are interested in using Apple II emulators if these legal details could be worked out. Although some schools are still hanging on to their Apple IIe and Apple IIgs hardware, it seems a huge waste of space to keep these "antiques" around. The space they occupy could be better used by new Macs or PCs running an Apple II emulator. My principal tells me he wants to get rid of the Apple II computers because they make the school look bad to the public, to still be using nearly 20-year old computers. That does not mean teachers want to stop using them. Some "diehards" have six or more Apple II's packed into their classroom to save them from the trash. (Yes, I still have a DigiCard Apple II network server running in a wiring closet, and I feed the signal out over unused ethernet wiring to people who still want to use the DigiCard.) If Apple would want to charge people for using the Apple II ROM-code, could some sort of deal be worked out with schools, where they can use as many copies as Apple II hardware they had puchased from Apple years ago? If free licensing is possible would Apple want to treat the various Apple II ROMs differently, or if they could all be licensed out freely, as a group? Although I am primarily interested in the "Enhanced Apple IIe ROM-code" since it was the popular version, there are other Apple II enthusiasts that would also like to have your permission to use the ROM-code from other Apple II models, such as the IIgs. Thank you for responding to this. I was not expecting someone at Apple to spend this much time working on a response, and I appreciate you taking the time to reply. [Antique And Older Computers> msg #23814 Steve Conrad 810 Main Henrietta, MO 64036 816-494-5692 http://sasha91.0pi.com www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/stonekeep/600 It is no secret (nor should it come as any surprise) that humankind's most noble impulses often surface during the most trying of times, that human spirit rises to the challenge when faced with adversity, that human strength is born from human failings...Is it any wonder, then, that the SDF-1 crew became a tighter family after the fortress had been exiled than it had before? From the log of Captain (later Admiral) Henry Gloval -- Apple2list is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... / Buy books, CDs, videos, and more from Amazon.com \ / <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/lowendmac> \ Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Apple2list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/apple2.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/apple2list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
