Date   : Mon, 09 Jul 1984 07:05:51-PDT (Mon)
From   : ihnp4!ihuxq!covert@Ucb-Vax.arpa
Subject: Irv Hoff's side of the MDM7xx story

<>
A while ago I posted a query on how Irv Hoff could sell the mdm740 program
after it has been in the public domain for so long. Most people seem to
agree that legally Irv can sell it as he has made his own original 
alterations to it. After this message was posted I conacted Ward Christensen
(the original author of the mdm7xx programs) and asked for his opinion.
The following message is Ward Christensen's ideas (and do not reflect mine):
__________________________
Msg 23035 is 20 line(s) on 07/03/84 from WARD CHRISTENSEN
to RICHARD COVERT re: IRV HOFF/COPYRIGHT/MDM7XX

Irv has no intention of selling MDM7xx. This whole thing is blown
out of proportion. Like so many rumors ABOUT someone - no one thought
to go back to the "source" (Irv himself). I have now had "many K-char"
of dialog w/Irv on CompuServe, and all pleasnat and understanding.
Like me copyrighting CBBS and Resource (the latter more relevant
because its "in the public domain" - (an admitted inconsistency)) Irv
worked VERY HARD to make MDM7xxx available for a WIDE variety of
machines. Inevitably, with his VAST erperience customizing MODEM
(much more than mine) he got frustrated like I did with people who
tack on inconsistent or worse yet, "buggy" bells and whistles,
that aren't in the general interest with his ideas. Thus,
just as I don't distribute the source for RESOURCE, he stopped
distributing MDMxxx source - so he'd not have to fight the "someone
else puts something in, he takes it back out" battle. This would allow
him to concentrate on getting new overlay files out for more modems,
more systems, and stop "fighting brush fires" of people "hacking"
the code. I see nothing wrong with what he has done; he plans to
eventually re-release source; PS: He thinks MEX came to be as another way
to release, could be (I have nothing bas and have heard
much good about MEX, too).
___________________________________

My own feelings about not releasing source to a program being distributing
to the hobbyist market is that if the author doesn't provide the source
then he OWNS it to the community to provide support for his program.
For example, I wrote a 8080-z80 translator for which I distributed only
the object file (copyrighted by myself) for use by CP/Mers. I promptly
fixed any bugs in my program and released it. It has worked fine for me
as I am up to release 4.1 now. It does appear that Irv has provided 
support for mdm7xx in the form of bug fixes. What he has not done is
to implement changes as suggested by others.. I feel that it is hard
to corrdinate such a program amongst many different programmers.
Oh well, I hope that this helps clear up any misunderstandings about
Irv's intentions with MDM7xx..

-- 
                       Richard Covert
                       AT&T Bell Laboratories
                       ...ihnp4!ihuxq!covert
                       (312) 979-7488