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

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 11/21/19 7:59 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> 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.
> 
> 

Arne,

  I rest my case.

bill