🚀 go-pugleaf

[ fact only mode on ]

Due to the fact that (as far as I can tell) the maps are NOT copyrighted at
this point, ANYONE is legally allowed to publish the maps, for profit or
otherwise.  The question is not whether or not it is moral, or if you as a
site want "junk mail" from it.  Even if we as a network decide to add the
#N	YES or NO, it wouldn't keep the maps from being copied, changed, etc.

[ fact only mode off ]
[ opinion mode on ]

It seems to me that the best way to handle it is to have a particular site,
such as uunet hold the copyright to the maps, giving the standard
"militantly public-domain" disclamer.

[ opinion mode off ]
[ soapbox mode on ]

The funny thing of it is that UseNet is a COMMERCIAL network by definition,
whereas FidoNet along with it's derivatives are not.  The FidoNet has
Copyright holds on the Nodelist (same as UUCP maps) and has sued
people/companies for using the Nodelist in a "for-profit" manner. 
Neither UseNet, nor any part of it, holds a valid copyright on the maps.
FidoNet IS a public network, but is made up of people doing what they do
without expecting to profit from it.  The fact of the matter is that
FidoNet sysops usually can't justify running a FidoNet BBS for the net
alone, but from the pure enjoyment as a hobby, most FidoNet sysops can. 
UseNet sites, on the other hand, can almost always justify the cost of
the news, and everything that goes along with it.  At our site, we can
by being able to get answers from "techies" and "gurus" on the net, in
case our "techies" and "gurus" can't figure it out.  We also try to give
intelligent answers where possible.  The answers received are for profit
in writing software for our business.  We freely admit to that.

I would hope that people think about this before complaining about their
map info being distributed all over kingdom come...

[ soap box mode off ]
[ opinion mode on ]

BTW, I'm one to say that the maps should not be distributed without the
permission of each individual site.  Result:  all new maps that would
deal with, I'll assume that if there is no #N entry, that the answer is
NO until otherwise listed.  This site neither plans to or does
distribute map entrys in a mailing list manner.  This site does not
intend to use maps for mailing lists.  It's unfair to the many sites who
don't want the junk mail.

[ opinion mode off ]

Sorry about the many ramblings here, but I am tired of this worn-out topic.

aablue!kevin
replies via uucp ONLY - no need to tie everyone up in it...