[Info-vax] Licenses on VAX/VMS 4.0/4.1 source code listing scans

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 12/10/2021 5:06 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 12/10/2021 3:12 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> On 12/10/2021 10:46 AM, chris wrote:
>>> If you are a developer, you should try to walk the walk in terms
>>> of ethics and try to do the right thing. In the real world though,
>>> people will do whatever needs to be done to find a solution if there
>>> seems to b an insurmountable obstacle.
>>>
>>> The other point is, do the original owners really care enough, or
>>> even at all, when so much licensed software is out there and is
>>> obsolete and no longer sold ?. Similar case here, where I was trying
>>> find detail on the write boot block code for early SunOs for historical
>>> purposes. Found the complete source cd online and was able to complete
>>> the task. No profit involved, other than keeping some old machines
>>> alive.
>>>
>>> Ethical dilemmas everywhere in life and we all have to make our
>>> own choices...
>>
>> I don't think there is much ethical dilemma here.
>>
>> There should be no doubt that following the law is the etical
>> solution here.
> 
> Do you think that breaking a contract, either written or implied, is 
> ethical and legal?

It is not.

And if you have a contract that promises you the ability to buy a
product forever, then you have a good case.

But I have never heard of any such contract.

You buy something, you use that and when it is used/worn out/expired
then you have no guarantee that you can buy the same thing again.

Arne