RE: [boost] Boost License Issues

From: Paul A. Bristow (boost_at_[hidden])
Date: 2002-11-20 05:23:43

I am sure legal views on this would be useful, but I fear that if you ask
n lawyers for their opinion, you will end up with more than n+1 opinions!

Can't we tap some of these firms that are worrying about this for
their legal views, for what they are worth?

Paul

Paul A Bristow, Prizet Farmhouse, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AB  UK
[phone]   Mobile [phone]
Mobile mailto:pabristow_at_[hidden]
mailto:pbristow_at_[hidden]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: boost-bounces_at_[hidden]
> [mailto:boost-bounces_at_[hidden]]On Behalf Of Beman Dawes
> Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 1:15 AM
> To: Boost mailing list; Boost mailing list
> Subject: Re: [boost] Boost License Issues
>
>
> At 09:38 AM 11/19/2002, Andrew Koenig wrote:
>
>  >Beman> Even something in the public domain should have a copyright, and a
>  >Beman> license that says it is in the public domain.
>  >
>  >I think you should check this statement with a lawyer.
>
> I'd really like a knowledgeable intellectual property lawyer to review all
> Boost related license issues. But finding one willing to help has been a
> problem. Suggestions would be welcome.
>
>  >  Keith Gorlen,
>  >the author of the NIH (National Institutes of Health) class library,
>  >told me once that his work, being a ``US Government work'' is in the
>  >public domain and *cannot* be copyrighted or licensed.  That is,
>  >*nothing* that anyone does with his work can legally prevent anyone
>  >from copying it, so there is no meaningful way of licensing it.
>
> If I understand correctly, what was being requested was that it be possible
> to clearly associate each file with its legal status. So in the case you
> mention, I guess they would want to see a notice to the effect it was
> a  "US Government work" and that it was in the public domain.
>
> We know some potential Boost users are delaying use of the libraries
> because of uncertainty about legal issues. We would like to address those
> issues, but really need help from a knowledgeable lawyer to do so.
>
> --Beman
>
>
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