On Mon, Jan 21, 2002 at 11:07:45AM +0800, Pablo Manalastas wrote: > Many professional programmers actually copy from the source code > published by others. If the source code is public domain, then you don't > need to do anything special. Binary search, heap-sort, etc.,are all > public domain now, and so you do not need to give credit to Hoare and > company. If the program you are copying is open source GPL, you can
Because when these algorithms were invented the USPTO didn't allow people to patent algorithms. And heck, even if C.A.R. Hoare had filed for a patent on Quicksort it would have expired long ago. :) > still copy, but you are bound by GPL to cite the original authors, and > in some cases you may not even modify their original sources -- you can > only apply your modifications as patches. And you must make your own No, the GPL expressly forbids that you must be forced to apply modifications only as patches. The GPL gives you the freedom to study, share, and change source code, the only condition being you allow everyone who receives the program to have these same rights. Any license that bans redistribution of derivative works prevents that license from being considered as Open Source or even Free Software. > program GPL, or Stallman will run after you. In most cases, when a Stallman and the FSF will only prosecute GPL violators who take source code copyrighted by the FSF. Other GPLed software must be prosecuted by the holder of the copyright, but the FSF can be called upon to help. > professional programmer copies source code belonging to others, he can not > do so without the written permission of the original authors. That's what licenses are. -- Rafael R. Sevilla <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> +63(2) 8177746 ext. 8311 Programmer, Inter.Net Philippines +63(917) 4458925 http://dido.ph.inter.net/ OpenPGP Key ID: 0x5CDA17D8 Heute die Welt und Morgen das Sonnensystem! _ Philippine Linux Users Group. Web site and archives at http://plug.linux.org.ph To leave: send "unsubscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the Linux Newbies' List: send "subscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
