[Info-vax] [Attn: HP Employees] PDP-11 OS hobbyist licensing

[Simon Clubley]

On 2013-10-03, Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se> wrote:
>
> Technically no.
>
> But it's also a different question from the one about distributing the 
> software. I doubt HP would go after the people who downloaded, and was 
> running the software. But the guy (or company) who was distributing 
> it...? Who knows...
>
> Let us be clear here. Technically, according to law, we are not allowed 
> to distribute it, nor run it without a license.
>

I wonder what the legal situation is with Bitsavers which archives not
only the public documentation, but also the binary OS kits as well.

If you look, you will see they have versions of RSX not covered by
the Mentec license. As for me, I would like to play with the kits
and there's nothing at a technical level stopping me, but morally
I just don't feel it's right until after the licence issue is resolved.

However, at the same time, I don't see the same as applying to the public
documentation; I don't see any reason why I cannot read through the public
RSX documentation also available from Bitsavers.

>
> I find it depressing how willing some people are to ask others to gamble 
> their whole financial future. And this in the country which is famous 
> for financial lawsuits...
>

You will get no argument from me on that one. (However, JF lives in
Canada, not the US, unless he's moved).

Simon.

-- 
Simon Clubley, clubley at remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP
Microsoft: Bringing you 1980s technology to a 21st century world