Re: Integration of gettext in Perl

[Paul Eggert]

> From: address@hidden (Paul Jarc)
> Date: Fri, 02 Aug 2002 16:55:15 -0400
> 
> > But if you read 17 USC 117, you'll see that it says nothing of the
> > sort.  It says only that users can make backup copies, and can make
> > copies or adaptations (in RAM, say) that are needed to run the
> > original program.
> 
> No, it also makes exceptions for maintenance and repair.

Maintenance and repair of "machines", not programs.  And this is only
to make the machines work according to their original specifications.
I see no realistic way that you can stretch that into a license to
modify the program in any way you choose.

> And according to Bernstein ("According to the CONTU Final
> Report..."), patches qualify.

I would not rely on Bernstein's legal advice in this matter.  You
would be much better off consulting a competent copyright attorney.
You might ask your attorney for the case law that prompted the wording
about "maintenance and repair".  You'll find that this wording was
added in by Congress in 1998 for the narrow purpose of relieving
independent hardware service providers from liability when they turn
on a computer and run a copyrighted hardware maintenance program on
that computer.  The wording was in no way intended to allow the sorts
of software modifications that you are envisioning.

(I should mention I am not a copyright attorney, and you should not
consider this message to be legal advice.  I am married to a copyright
attorney, though, so I know enough to include this disclaimer.  :-)