Public domain software for ever?

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Article #24041

#24041

From: ODONNELL
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1990 13:27

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AWKWARD QUESTIONS DEPARTMENT:

Could anyone please clarify these points on public domain software?

RE the recent announcement on BIO-SOFT that Intelligenetics now has
worldwide distribution and licencing rights for CLUSTAL. They state that
the program is 'no longer public domain', and request users to remove it
from their systems.

It appears to have BEEN public domain prior to 23 November 1989 - so how
can it now be withdrawn?

What about copies pre-dating 23rd November, including PC versions?

What is the likely position if other authors decide to do likewise?

I do not intend any offence to the author of this software, and would like
to respect his wishes. But there could be a precedent here.

*************************************************************************
Cary O'Donnell			Tel: (in UK) 0582 762271 ext 226
AFRC Computing Centre		     (+44 for UK) 582 762271 ext 226
West Common			Fax: (+44) 582 761710
Harpenden
Herts AL5 2JE			email: ODONNELL@UK.AC.AFRC.ARCC
U.K.				(Molecular biology support at AFRCCC)

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From: ODONNELL@arcc.afrc.ac.uk
Newsgroups: bionet.software
Subject: Public domain software for ever?
Message-ID: <9001221718.AA07079@net.bio.net>
Date: 22 Jan 90 13:27:48 GMT
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Posted: Mon Jan 22 14:27:48 1990