Date : Mon, 19 Mar 1984 17:09:39-PST (Mon)
From : decvax!mcnc!ecsvax!emigh@Ucb-Vax.ARPA
Subject: Distributing modifications to F80
<>
Recently, I was given a set of disassemblies of some of the Microsoft
FORTRAN-80 library subroutines (the person who disassembled the routines
and I are both registered owners of F80). During Spring Break, I rewrote
the floating point multiply and divide routines for the Z80 (resulting in
improvements of 25% and 37%, respectively, for time in floating point
intensive programs). Considering the discussion now going on in net.general
(and net.followup), can I give the benefits of my labor to others? I can
see three possibilities for this:
1) Forget about the whole thing. Use the modifications in my own
work, but don't take the chance on distributing them.
2) Distribute the .REL files. This would allow others to use them,
but would not allow others to locate and fix any bugs that might
be present (after all, I spent only 1 day on the project).
3) Distribute the .MAC files. This is the most ideal from my standpoint,
as I may have made some errors, or there may be a more efficient
routine. However, I would guess that about 20% of the actual code
is still Microsoft's, and certainly the algorithm is Microsoft's--
I only translated it into Z80 code.
Please give me your ideas as to the legal/moral solution to this problem.
Do you feel that I would be violating the copyright laws in going ahead with
options 2 or 3? The license agreement I signed states in part: "Party
agrees that unauthorized copying or disclosure will cause great damage..."
Will either of these options violate this license agreement?
I should add that I would distribute them without cost (e.g., through
net.sources).
I will summarize any answers I get to the net. If you wish, I will keep
your id annonymous.
--Thanks--
--
Ted H. Emigh North Carolina State University Raleigh NC
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