Msg: 6012 *Conference*

09-02-95 07:49:04

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : GARY WEBER

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #6009 (SOURCE CODE FOR OS)

Good questions: Who owns the souce code?  Could they find it if asked?  Would
they release it if asked?

An inquireies might be in order ... probably to their [Mircosoft, Tandy and
NEC] legal departments.  I think it would be fun to try.  Here's an idea for a
letter Club 100 on behalf of the members, then make the source code available
for free to all interested members.

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Dear Counselor:

The programmer members of our computer user group club are interested in
acquiring the system source code to the following, obsolete, discontinued
computers for hobbie purposes ... non commercial.

 Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100
 Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 102
 Tandy Model 200
 NEC PC8201a

These computers entered the market (circa 1983) and have long-since been
retired.  They are based on 1970's technology and thus have no commercial or
public-interest value.

Since we do not know who owns the system source code, we are contacting the
legal departments of the three companies originally involved in the development
and distribution of these computers.

Please assist us as best you can.

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What do you think?  Re-write this as you see fit.  Let me know when it's ready
and I'll get it out to the three legal departments and see what happens.
-Rick-

Hmmm ... this is the first club group-project we've done since the 80's.