Date   : Wed, 28 Aug 1985 09:42:00 PDT
From   : Ghenis.pasa@XEROX.ARPA
Subject: Re: --- re: re: Arf! Arf! programs ---

>
>Why do sysops not insist on source code only?  Why would a user/donor
only
>want to upload a .COM or .OBJ file?  Sysops then have problems with
>copyright infringements as well as the deadly Arf!
>

Because:

1) The donor may wish to be the 'clearinghouse' for his/her program
instead of having a hundred modified versions floating around.

2)Donated software may be a preliminary version of a future commercial
product. This is a convenient way to get a program tested and obtain
feedback, so everybody wins. Of course this doesn't mean the author has
to give away the whole show (source code).