[ros-kernel] Code Copyright Issues

[Steven Edwards]

--- Vizzini <vizzini at plasmic.com> wrote:
> In that vein, please *do* let me know (privately) of anything that
> you
> know of that violates a copyright.  I will be developing a strategy
> for
> scrubbing up our codebase in the not-so-distant future, and I'd like
> to
> be armed with a list of trouble spots.

On that note when we clean the codebase of trouble spots I would like
to propose that we limit access to CVS by anonymous developers. If a
developer wishes to remain anonymous then they should transfer
copyright of the code to the ReactOS Foundation and the Foundation can
sign a Non-discloser form.

I am sorry but we cannot risk a legal battle because you want to remain
totaly hidden. If you do wish to develop and keep in the shadows then
you must work with us by either filig your work with the US Copyright
Office or turning said work over to the foundation and disclosing to
the Foundation who you are.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/copyright/copyright.act.chapt3.html#17usc302(c)
"(c) Anonymous works, pseudonymous works, and works made for hire. 

In the case of an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made
for hire, the copyright endures for a term of seventy-five years from
the year of its first publication, or a term of one hundred years from
the year of its creation, whichever expires first. If, before the end
of such term, the identity of one or more of the authors of an
anonymous or pseudonymous work is revealed in the records of a
registration made for that work under subsections (a) or (d) of section
408 [17 USCS Sect. 408], or in the records provided by this subsection,
the copyright in the work endures for the term specified by subsection
(a) or (b), based on the life of the author or authors whose identity
has been revealed. Any person having an interest in the copyright in an
anonymous or pseudonymous work may at any time record, in records to be
maintained by the Copyright Office for that purpose, a statement
identifying one or more authors of the work; the statement shall also
identify the person filing it, the nature of that person's interest,
the source of the information recorded, and the particular work
affected, and shall comply in form and content with requirements that
the Register of Copyrights shall prescribe by regulation. "

Thanks
Steven


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