----- Ursprüngliche Nachricht ----- Von: Peter Bigot Gesendet am: 12 Apr 2012 14:40:17
> The content of the files is somewhat unhelpful, as I don't believe > people normally added their names to the source code. Many people add their name to the file header. Personally, I even keep a history of changes. However, you're right, not everyone does so. In many open source code files, you'll find pages over pages with a full copy of the license, but no mentioning of the author. :( The commit comments may contain information, but usually, they only contain technical information (which is important, of course). Personally, I'd call it good style if the comment contains info if the committer is not the author, but you're right again, this cannot be taken for granted. And as you said, due to refactoring, this information is easily lost. > Since I don't pretend to understand IP law, I'm staying out of this > beyond making sure my own contributions aren't an impediment. I guess, nobody undestands it anymore. Years ago, one could say that everything that has been released to the public without including a copyright notice or at least an author name, could be considered 'public domain'. However, Lawyers have achieved that everything that isn't tagged with a (best hand-written) notice of the author, mus tbe considered copyright protected and can be used as a possible source for additional income by filing a lawsuit. If a plumber has done his work and has been paid for it, everyone can use his work without written permission and paying license fees. What's so different with IP? Or (to take account for the 'immaterial' aspect of IP) what is the difference between IP and a Patent? Patents have to be filed, paid for every year, and expire after 20 years. IP, software, music, photos, whatever, do not have to be filed, take no fee and expire many years after the death of the autor. Even if the author has been paid for doing the job. Did you know that if you pay a photographer to make a photo of you, the rights on the photo remain with him and you're getting only a license to use the material copy you got from him? More than strange. On the bottom line, this overly complex legal handling of intellectual work is the main reason why the world will evolve slower and slower, in relation to the existing level. And if this behavior increases (and it does), evolution will slow down to the point where it will turn into devolution. Hopefully this will happen after I have left this world. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For Developers, A Lot Can Happen In A Second. Boundary is the first to Know...and Tell You. Monitor Your Applications in Ultra-Fine Resolution. Try it FREE! http://p.sf.net/sfu/Boundary-d2dvs2 _______________________________________________ Mspgcc-users mailing list Mspgcc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/mspgcc-users
