IBM DXL copyright changes

Has any noticed that IBM has changed the copyrights on the DXL library on DOORS 9.2.

Telelogic dxl files had the following lines that gave user permissions to make copies of dxl and modify.
  

// See DOORS manuals for copying conditions.
// Copy this file to a different location before modifying it.

 


IBM new copyright appears to inhibit previous granted priviledges as follows:

 

  

// Licensed Materials - Property of IBM - some unique copyrights (i.e., the ability 
// to copy, modify, distribute) may be licensed in certain circumstances 
// (e.g., sample/template code intended to be used by customers to build upon and 
// distribute as their own products).
//
// DOORS - %full_filespec: replace.dxl~6:dxl:ERS#1 %  %date_created: Mon Dec 15 15:25:52 2008 %
//
// (c) Copyright IBM Corporation 1993, 2009. All Rights Reserved.
//
// U.S. Government Users Restricted Rights: Use, duplication or disclosure restricted
// by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.



Does anyone see a problem with this copyright and the way it impacts their company business?



 


Ron_Lewis - Tue Feb 02 08:38:51 EST 2010

Re: IBM DXL copyright changes
Mathias Mamsch - Wed Feb 03 06:26:45 EST 2010

Well "may be licensed" under "certain circumstances" does not sound very restricted to me ...
And I don't think most users are "U.S. Government Users", so I think the copyright will not affect most people. But I am not a specialist...

Regards, Mathias

Re: IBM DXL copyright changes
dofstead - Thu Feb 04 17:11:22 EST 2010

Mathias Mamsch - Wed Feb 03 06:26:45 EST 2010
Well "may be licensed" under "certain circumstances" does not sound very restricted to me ...
And I don't think most users are "U.S. Government Users", so I think the copyright will not affect most people. But I am not a specialist...

Regards, Mathias

I suspect that what it is saying is that you can not copy/modify their code, BUT in "certain circumstances" (i.e. sample code) they might give you a license to make those changes.

This is disconcerting to me because normally in files that say things like "// Include all user defined files below this comment" (startup.dxl) I just assume that I can modify them without getting a license to make the change. Thus, their restriction might actually be even more restrictive that a typical copyright statement. We might actually have to get a license from them to modify their sample code.

Re: IBM DXL copyright changes
kbmurphy - Thu Feb 04 19:10:55 EST 2010

dofstead - Thu Feb 04 17:11:22 EST 2010
I suspect that what it is saying is that you can not copy/modify their code, BUT in "certain circumstances" (i.e. sample code) they might give you a license to make those changes.

This is disconcerting to me because normally in files that say things like "// Include all user defined files below this comment" (startup.dxl) I just assume that I can modify them without getting a license to make the change. Thus, their restriction might actually be even more restrictive that a typical copyright statement. We might actually have to get a license from them to modify their sample code.

I think you guys are making mountains out of molehills. Of course, I am not a lawyer.

Telelogic freely distributed that source code with DOORS for years, and it's obvious that you can change it. Just don't claim that the work is yours.

If you take one of the Telelogic/IBM sample files, and include the copyright notice with it, the ONLY people who can use it or people who have purchased DOORS. It has no use to anyone else. Thus, the people who purchased DOORS already have the files, or already have the rights to the files.

Even if I'm wrong, do you really think that IBM would sue you because you modified some of the code in the example? I can have a sign that says, "Will not accept bills over $20" if I own a restaurant, but that doesn't mean that I can actually deny a customer who pays me with a $100 bill. As long as the money is legal, I HAVE to take it. I cannot dictate how a customer pays me if he pays me with cash.

This copyright notice is like one of those signs, even given the wiki and the DXL files posted there and in this forum. Seriously, stop worrying about it. It's boilerplate.

Re: IBM DXL copyright changes
Mathias Mamsch - Fri Feb 05 06:25:38 EST 2010

dofstead - Thu Feb 04 17:11:22 EST 2010
I suspect that what it is saying is that you can not copy/modify their code, BUT in "certain circumstances" (i.e. sample code) they might give you a license to make those changes.

This is disconcerting to me because normally in files that say things like "// Include all user defined files below this comment" (startup.dxl) I just assume that I can modify them without getting a license to make the change. Thus, their restriction might actually be even more restrictive that a typical copyright statement. We might actually have to get a license from them to modify their sample code.

I would understand "may be licensed" not as "We might give you a license if you ask", but more like "we preserve our right put that code under a license, so in case you take our code and build something very valuable of it (which is highly inprobable, since our code usually sucks) and earn lots of money with it, then we can take a part of that money afterwards from you. But usually we won't give out something valuable for free, so lets put this boilerplate at the top of each file, just in case we missed something."

Re: IBM DXL copyright changes
llandale - Fri Feb 05 18:09:53 EST 2010

Seek legal advise. That's a disclaimer.

I'm sure you can modify it and use it to your heart's content, so long as you don't try to sell it (and don't claim its yours). If you do get sued, IBM will have to prove damages, which I think is $0.

You can put a book in the copier and copy some changes yes, but you cannot sell it no.

You can engage in infedelity yes, but cannot sell it no.

You can make a Mickey-Mouse Pinata yes, but cannot sell them no.

I can say I reserve all copyrights to this posting yes, but cannot enforce it no.

I reserve all copyrights to this posting.

  • Louie

Re: IBM DXL copyright changes
kbmurphy - Fri Feb 05 19:06:01 EST 2010

llandale - Fri Feb 05 18:09:53 EST 2010
Seek legal advise. That's a disclaimer.

I'm sure you can modify it and use it to your heart's content, so long as you don't try to sell it (and don't claim its yours). If you do get sued, IBM will have to prove damages, which I think is $0.

You can put a book in the copier and copy some changes yes, but you cannot sell it no.

You can engage in infedelity yes, but cannot sell it no.

You can make a Mickey-Mouse Pinata yes, but cannot sell them no.

I can say I reserve all copyrights to this posting yes, but cannot enforce it no.

I reserve all copyrights to this posting.

  • Louie

> llandale wrote:
> Seek legal advise. That's a disclaimer.
>
> I'm sure you can modify it and use it to your heart's content, so long as you don't try to sell it (and don't claim its yours). If you do get sued, IBM will have to prove damages, which I think is $0.
>
> You can put a book in the copier and copy some changes yes, but you cannot sell it no.
>
> You can engage in infedelity yes, but cannot sell it no.
>
> You can make a Mickey-Mouse Pinata yes, but cannot sell them no.
>
> I can say I reserve all copyrights to this posting yes, but cannot enforce it no.
>
> I reserve all copyrights to this posting.
>
> - Louie

C'mon Louie--sue me. I dare you. :)