> Hi,
> I maintain the rec.games.board FAQ, one of the least extensive FAQs to
> be had, certainly. Anyway, it's not in the list, but I do have some input on
> this cdrom company.
> This cdrom.com place provides CDs of much public domain and shareware
> software. Their fee covers the cost of making the CD - they are not selling
> the software. For instance, the FSF people have no problems with them
> distributing Gnu software on CDs.
> Their ftp site contains mirrors of several popular ftp sites, is
> the primary distribution point for freeware and shareware for OS/2, and the
> FreeBSD and Linux freeware unix operating systems. All of this stuff they sell
> CDs of. Their CDs are often the only way people with no net access have to
> get ahold of this information and software. Look upon their CD's the same way
> you look upon an ftp site that carrys a mirror of your FAQ - someone's making
> money off of the connection to that site that distributes your FAQ. These guys
> are sort of a rainbow colored plastic T1 hookup.
> They are obviously on fairly strong legal ground here, as well as being
> good internet citizens. Check them out more carefully before going in with
> lawyers blazing.
>
Indeed. I have already begun the process of checking them out. I don't
think they are on strong legal ground though. The copyright law is very
clear, no unauthorized distribution. If they failed to receive
authorization from each of the authors.. they could be up shit creek.
My recommendation is that they stop distribution of this particular CD
and recall the issued CD's redistributing one where they have the
explicit permission to include FAQs... if the above statement about the
kindness of the company is true... then this step shouldn't be to tough
for them tom ake and many people will gladdly donate their FAQs to be
published...
> Alec
>
> PS - please pass this information along to wherever the discussion is going on
> - my reply isn't appropriate for the announce mailing list, and I've lost the
> discussion list address. Thanks.
>
will do.
-john
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