Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 15:58:00 +0200
From: Hans-Bernhard Broeker <broeker AT physik DOT rwth-aachen DOT de>
Message-Id: <199908121358.PAA17336@acp3bf.physik.rwth-aachen.de>
To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
Subject: Re: GNU, Copyrights and related stuff
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Organization: RWTH Aachen, III. physikalisches Institut B
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]
Reply-To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com

In article <19990811073153 DOT 12519 DOT rocketmail AT web1006 DOT mail DOT yahoo DOT com> you wrote:

> I've written a few software, some of which I would like to distribute
> under the GNU GPL; the others would be freeware, but without sources.

Software without source cannot be 'free' software. For a start, it
won't work on at some of the existing computers, without the
possibility to compile it, there.

> The issues that I have are:

> 1> Is it necessary that I get a legal copyright in my name before I
> distribute the software under the GPL ?

The necessity to 'get' an 'official' copyright grant or whatever has
vanished, some time ago. Nowadays, you automatically have the
Copyright over everything you write -- even if you happen not to want
one :-). It's just a matter of using it. Putting your program under
GPL is one of many ways you can make use of your personal Copyright.


> 2> What are the procedures I should follow to get a copyright for the
> other sources ?

Same thing, essentially.

For details, you might want to visit the FSF homepage.

--
Hans-Bernhard Broeker (broeker AT physik DOT rwth-aachen DOT de)
Even if all the snow were burnt, ashes would remain.