> -----Original Message----- > From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Howard Brazee > Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 12:35 PM > To: IBM-MAIN@BAMA.UA.EDU > Subject: Re: MXI 4.3 (was Re: SMP/E question - how to find dsname ?) > > > On 17 Jul 2007 09:00:49 -0700, in bit.listserv.ibm-main you wrote: > > >I have been "bitten" by giving out source code for free - > and it left a very sour taste. > > > >A few years ago I happened to get hold of a few copies of > "MVS Update" and lo and behold some "person" had ripped off > most of the programs from my website, changed the > labels/names and submitted then as their own work - earning > him/herself a nice little payout - so belated thanks to > "System Programmer UK" for that one. > > > >When I contacted Xephon about this to complain - they had > lost the records etc etc.. > > > People can steal anything. If you had charged for it, they could > still have stolen it. > > There are some things that we should include with all free code - in > the nature of specifying the rights of those who use it. It won't > stop it from being stolen, but will make the nature of their theft > more obvious, and prosecution more likely.
Very true. I don't know the copyright laws in the UK. Here in the USofA, it would likely be "best" to register the program with the Copyright Office. Then, if this occurs, you have the legal backing to sue. I don't know if it would be worth while to sue an individual. But a company like Xephon? You bet (assuming you have the money). They're making a profit off of the sale. If they are truly innocent, then they had better be able to supply the actual source of their copy. And, in any case, it would not matter. They had not done "due diligence" to make sure that the alleged author was actually the copyright owner. So their publication of your code, in and of itself, would be a violation of your copyright. And, with a good lawyer, they might want to pay you off just to avoid embarrassment. -- John McKown Senior Systems Programmer HealthMarkets Keeping the Promise of Affordable Coverage Administrative Services Group Information Technology The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged and/or confidential. It is for intended addressee(s) only. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, reproduction, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited and could, in certain circumstances, be a criminal offense. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply and delete this message without copying or disclosing it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
