Subj : Re: GNU Public Licences Revisited (again) To : comp.programming From : Gerry Quinn Date : Sun Aug 28 2005 11:07 am In article , david.golden@oceanfree.net says... > So it wasn't until 1976-78 that US Congress really decided software was > to be enforceably copyrightable in the USA, and it was in 1976 that > Gates wrote his infamous "letter to hobbyists" accusing everyone who > dared modify, redistribute and copy software of "stealing": > > http://www.blinkenlights.com/classiccmp/gateswhine.html He puts the point very well. "Why is this? As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software. Hardware must be paid for, but software is something to share. Who cares if the people who worked on it get paid? Is this fair?" - Gerry Quinn .