[NTLK] h*cks, kr*ks, SN

[Dennis B. Swaney]

Matt Howe wrote:
> I also write software for a living and I guess it is kind of like this. If I
> had a lawn mower that I rented to my neighbors. They just had to pay me once
> and they could use it whenever they wanted. And then one day I went on
> vacation and someone new moved into the neighborhood. Because I am not there
> to collect my rent, does that give them the right to just come and take my
> lawn mower? I'm not quite as stringent as some of the others here, but the
> undeniable truth and legality of this is that the software belongs to the
> copyright holder, whether it appears abandoned or not. Do I think they would
> mind? Probably not, but if you do this, you are, strictly speaking, breaking
> the law.
> 

Matt, you're being specious (?) here. How about this scenario that is 
equal to what is being discussed:

I also write software for a living and I guess it is kind of like this. 
If I had a lawn mower that I rented to my neighbors. They just had to 
pay me once and they could use it whenever they wanted. And then one day 
I MOVED AWAY WITHOUT LEAVING ANY WAY TO CONTACT ME and someone new moved 
into the neighborhood. Because I am not there to collect my rent, does 
that give them the right to just come and take my lawn mower? I'm not 
quite as stringent as some of the others here, but the undeniable truth 
and legality of this is that the software belongs to the copyright 
holder, whether it appears abandoned or not. Do I think they would mind? 
Probably not, but if you do this, you are, strictly speaking, breaking
the law.

By moving away and not leaving contact info, you have abandoned your 
lawn mower.

-- 
Sincerely,
Dennis B. Swaney

Newton MP 2100
iPhone 3GS