Michael Poole wrote: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > * The following file "trade.c" was written by Adam Bryant who > > * gives all rights to this code to Ed Barlow provided that this > > * message remains intact. > > IANAL, but this looks like an effective conveyance of copyright to me.
I would rather read it as an unrestricted license that grants permission to exercise all exclusive rights to Ed Barlow. As this grant includes the right to sublicense, Ed can apply the GPL's terms to the code. In most jurisdictions copyright can only be transferred in writing. See e.g. 17 USC 204: "A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owner's duly authorized agent." http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap2.html#204 Without a piece of paper with Adam's signature saying otherwise, the copyright remains with him. So Ed should ensure he does not change the copyright notice. Arnoud -- Arnoud Engelfriet, Dutch & European patent attorney - Speaking only for myself Patents, copyright and IPR explained for techies: http://www.iusmentis.com/ -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]