[Info-vax] State of the OpenVMS hobbyist program?

[Dave Froble]

On 11/21/2019 6:17 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
> On 11/21/2019 5:56 PM, Jan-Erik Söderholm wrote:
>> Den 2019-11-21 kl. 23:43, skrev Arne Vajhøj:
>>> On 11/21/2019 11:05 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>>> On 11/20/19 9:59 PM, Robert A. Brooks wrote:
>>>>> On 11/20/2019 9:31 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>>>>>> Perhaps HPe will turn over to VSI all VMS stuff they have,
>>>>>> including the HP versions, which would include VAX and the
>>>>>> hobbyist program.
>>>>>
>>>>> We have the VAX sources, and could, if we wanted to, build
>>>>> a VSI version of OpenVMS VAX.
>>>>>
>>>>> We are not going to do that.
>>>>>
>>>>> Period.  End of discussion.
>>>>
>>>> I can't believe anyone seriously expects a new or even a re-badged
>>>> version of VMS for the VAX.  Just a license key to allow it and its
>>>> layered product to continue to run.
>>>
>>> The reality seems to be that:
>>> * VSI can not legally produce a license (commercial or hobbyist)
>>>    for a non-VSI VMS version
>>> * there is no business case for producing a VSI VMS VAX version
>>> with the bottom line that VSI will not produce a hobbyist VMS VAX
>>> license.
>>
>> The easy "solution" for anyone wanting to run VMS/VAX is to just get
>> any of the old licenses "out there". Noone will ask any questions...
>
> The two questions:
> * is it legal?
> * are there any risk of getting caught?
> are two different questions.
>
> I believe/hope that the first question still matters to the
> vast majority of people.

First, I'm guessing there were more VAX licenses issued than all the 
rest combined.  DEC sold the licenses.  They were perpetual, even if 
only for the system and customer.  Not sure how many exist.

Is it legal?  Well, some might argue that DEC is no longer around to 
suffer harm.  Then the question might be, is it better for things to no 
longer exist, or, is it better for some harmless use to be obtained from 
them?  If some owner of the IP was still attempting to get revenue from 
them, then no, it is not legal.  That isn't happening.

Hell, Trump is legal, even if he's a lying, back stabbing asshole ....

Please don't get me started ....

As for getting caught?  Most likely no chance of that.  First the entity 
bring charges would need a copy of the license to prove it was theirs. 
Figure the odds of such paperwork still existing.  After the move to 
Compaq, then HP, very small chance.

If one was to just start typing and just by chance the LMF allowed that 
the random typing worked, is that stealing?  One might cry out 
"copyright".  I've got to wonder if the copyright is in the executibles. 
  I know it's in DCL command procedures.  Don't use them.


-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
DFE Ultralights, Inc.
170 Grimplin Road
Vanderbilt, PA  15486