[Info-vax] c 7.3 - Why MAYLOSEDATA3 for long pointer math?

[David Froble]

JF Mezei wrote:
> On 15-03-15 13:47, David Froble wrote:
> 
>> Perhaps it's an incorrect assumption, but I'd assume that when VSI has 
>> it's new versions out, they'd be free to distribute patches and such for 
>> their stuff. 
> 
> Not sure there is an obvious answer to this.

No, we don't have access to the agreement(s), and this part doesn't seem 
to have been discussed.

> Say VSI releases VMS 9.0. It will be able to sell it to customers on
> x86, as well as IA64-Poulson and IA64-Kittson (should it even come to
> market).
> 
> But HP could then get rights to sell it to older IA64s as well as Alpha
> customers.

I haven't seen any claims that HP retains the exclusive rights to 
anything VSI produces.  It could be.  We just don't know.

> Logically, patch distribution to VSI customers would be as per VSI
> policies, but to HP customers, would be as per HP policies.

What is to prevent a VMS customer from switching their support to VSI ?

> So to protect HP's rights, VSI would have to ensure that patches for 9.0
> are distributed to only its onw customers with its own policoes and
> ensure HP's policies are protected.

Nothing like that has been made public, other than from you, so while 
there may be some limitations, right now it is just speculation.

Still, it would not surprise me to learn that HP sold the cow, but 
retained the milking machine ....

> So if nothing prevents hobbysist from getting the patches for
> IA64-Poulson and applying it to their old IA64, then HP wouldn't be happy.

Why should they care?  It's not like they're losing anything.  Hobbyists 
won't be purchasing support or patches.

> When it comes to the 8086 though, patches could be made freely available
> without any damages to HP's policies since it would be a distinct market
> where HP has no VMS customers, so free distribution would not harm HP.
> 

 From what has been said publically, it seems that HP could indeed sell 
x86 systems with VMS, and sell support for those systems.