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- These messages were extracted from a recent conversation in the CompuServe
- SHAREWARE forum. They describe procedures on how to copyright programs.
-
- Some replies may have been deleted if they were deemed irrelevant to the main
- thrust of the conversation. Other than that, no editing is performed on the
- messages you see here. Most opinions are of a personal nature and they might
- not reflect the official views of the Association of Shareware Professionals.
- (However, some members in the ASP can and do speak in an official capacity.)
-
- Uploaded by Rob Rosenberger, SHAREWARE forum ASP sysop, 29 APR 90.
-
- =============================================
-
- #: 79515 S8/Shareware Issues
- 20-Apr-90 14:32:36
- Sb: #Copyrighting
- Fm: David Meltzer 72477,554
- To: All
-
- Where can I get information regarding copyrighting software?
- David
-
- #: 79523 S8/Shareware Issues
- 20-Apr-90 16:12:15
- Sb: #79515-Copyrighting
- Fm: George Abbott [PDS*WARE] 72617,1266
- To: David Meltzer 72477,554
-
- David,
-
- Start by calling 202-707-9100 and tell the answering machine that you want 5
- copies of FORM TX and 1 copy each of Circular R61, Circular R1. They will
- send you the requested forms.
-
- You will end up filling out 1 copy of Form TX and sending it and $10 to the
- Register of Copyrights, Library Of Congress, Washington DC 20559. You will
- need to include 1 copy of your source code and 1 copy of your documentation.
- Then, wait about 3 months to get it back. The effective date is the day they
- receive it.
-
- Technically, only the first 25 pages and the last 25 pages of the source code
- need be sent. I have been told that folks like Ashton-Tate and Lotus
- International seem to have (by wild coincidence) 25 pages of remarks likes at
- both the front and end of their source code. I haven't played those games
- myself.
-
- This sounds REAL easy because it IS REAL easy.
-
- Please note that (C) or (c) is worthless. You must use the word Copyright.
- Few printers and no computer screens support the full circle with the C inside
- (which is accepted) and so you will need to use "Copyright". Technically, you
- can also use "Copr", but who is going to recognize that besides you and the
- Copyright Office {grin}.
-
- George
-
- #: 79554 S8/Shareware Issues
- 20-Apr-90 21:21:04
- Sb: #79523-#Copyrighting
- Fm: David Meltzer 72477,554
- To: George Abbott [PDS*WARE] 72617,1266 (X)
-
- Once they get it, anybody can see the source code submitted? Is this source
- code in the original form made, a hex printout of the compiled file, or could
- I disassemble a compiled to .asm format (hard to understand if I don't bother
- to fill in 50 pages of comments. David
-
- #: 79569 S8/Shareware Issues
- 21-Apr-90 06:00:19
- Sb: #79554-Copyrighting
- Fm: George Abbott [PDS*WARE] 72617,1266
- To: David Meltzer 72477,554
-
- David,
-
- I think that when you get the 2 Circulars, you will find that you have several
- options in this area. I listed the simplest.
-
- George
-
- #: 79583 S8/Shareware Issues
- 21-Apr-90 12:20:40
- Sb: #79515-Copyrighting
- Fm: Pete Maclean 75776,660
- To: David Meltzer 72477,554
-
- George Abbott's excellent response may be all the information you need but I'd
- like to note that there is a book on the subject called How To Copyright
- Software. It's by M.J. Salone and published by Nolo Press at $34.95. Be sure
- to get the third edition.
-
- Pete
-