[Info-vax] An alternative history of computing

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 7/25/2021 9:05 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 7/25/2021 8:36 PM, Simon Clubley wrote:
>> For example, there's a public copy of the Pillar specification, but it
>> appears to have fallen into the public domain, instead of being released
>> _as_ a public document.
>>
>> As such, if I were to implement a compiler to the specification in that
>> document, could I get into legal trouble for doing so if I released the
>> compiler for general use ?
> 
> Who is going to care?

There is a tiny risk that HPE's lawyers may. They should own whatever 
IPR is left.

> If you name it something else, who is going to know where you got your 
> ideas?

If some of the DEC people from back then still follow compiler
technology, then they may note and they may note it publicly and
then the word gets around.

> In today's "language of the week" environment, how does anyone keep 
> track of what's available, and where the ideas come from?

There is a big difference between "inspired  by" and
"implementing".

"inspired by" is something everybody does. Java looked at C++.
C# looked at Java. And so on.

Arne