[Info-vax] x86-64-based Superdomes on the way (says HP)

[Richard B. Gilbert]

On 11/24/2011 9:11 PM, JF Mezei wrote:
> Phillip Helbig---undress to reply wrote:
>
>>> There might also be some contractual obligations to release the source
>>> code should HP stop developping VMS so that thsoe major customers would
>>> be able to fix their own bugs etc.
>>
>> I'm not a legal expert, but I am pretty sure that this is not the case.
>> Has there ever been a similar case where this was the result?
>
>
> Having source code held in trust with the customer gaining access to it
> should the vendor cease to exist or cease to develop it is actually
> fairly common.
>
> Pretty sure that the military would have such contracts, especially when
> you consider the number of changes in ownership with VMS and the
> uncertainty about its future since the mid 1990s with many news outlets
> declaring VMS dead.

"News outlets????"  Which ones do you have in mind?

As for "ownership", I think that's DEC, Compaq, and H-P.  It doesn't 
seem excessive!