Re: Where is the qmail Licence?

On Wed, Oct 29, 2003 at 07:59:47PM +0000, Andy Jackman wrote:
> > a) We own it [qmail] because Dan instructed his web server to give us copies
> > b) I can make copies of IBM's pages for my personal use.
> 
> If you compare your 2 statements you will see that you think 
> a) You own something because it is available for download and 
> b) you don't own something because it is available for download. 
> Which of these conflicting beliefs *do* you hold? Do you *own* IBM's
> pages? I think not. Nor do you own djb's software. Again, a simple
> mistake of logic.

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  own
       v : have ownership or possession of; "He owns three houses in
           Florida"; "How many cars does she have?" [syn: {have}, {possess}]

I can own copies of IBM's web pages, just like I can own a copy of DJB's
source code.  I don't own the copyright on either, therefore I can not do 
certain things with either of them unless the copyright holder gives me 
permission.

> > Unless the Kazaa peer was the original author of the song, and held the
> > copyright, it would be an illegal copy and I would have no rights.
> Exactly. Unless the copyright owner *gives* you the rights. And where
> does djb *give* you rights to do anything but distribute?

Copyright only covers distribution.  It does not cover use.  If your
statements are correct then software distributed under the GPL is also an
"illegal copy", since the GPL does not give you rights to use.  In fact, the
GPL v2 specifically states that "Activities other than copying, distribution 
and modification are not covered by this License; they are outside its scope."

> Personal attack is most often used when a party has exhausted logical
> argument.

I was attacking your actions, not your person.

--Adam