--- In ib-support@y..., "Leyne, Sean" <sleyne@a...> wrote:

> The only module, that I'm aware of, in the engine that is not

covered by the IPL is Dmitry Yemanov's new in memory sort/temp file
functions -- this was new work which he created. Of course, the
java-driver which is entirely new work is not convered by the IPL as
well.

The new java driver clearly falls outside the IPL, but regarding
Dmitry's contribution — do you know this for a fact, after
consulting an IP lawyer? IPL's Clause 1.9 would seem to cover both
content and *structure*, meaning extra modules could get scoped:

-----
1.9. ''Modifications'' means any addition to or deletion from the
substance or structure of either the Original Code or any previous
Modifications.
-----

To me, that seems to be a very big umbrella.

[What follows is general discussion aimed at nobody in particular]

The intent of licences like the IPL, GPL, etc. are very clear, too.
If you alter such licenced products then you are expected to return
your changes to the community (usually only if you 'distribute' the
modified work). Examining source code with the intent of writing
entirely new source code is copyright infringement — except in
opensource licencing situations where you have been granted very
flexible but very strict rights to do so. Basing your work on the
work of another is the reason why copyright laws emerged. Remember,
the only reason you are able to view the source in the first place is
because of the licence agreement that accompanies it. (Don't get me
started on Lindows.)

Given Borland's aggressive and unpredictable behaviour at times,
Firebird (Yaffil, et at) need to exercise caution. With all the
development work going on, people are starting to lose site of the
IPL. Probably the only thing that might stop Borland from shutting
down a project in violation of the IPL is the bad press it would
generate (sure, there are other things, like the benefit of
harvesting bugfixes and so on).

Having been involved in copyright issues for many years now, I can
tell you: when you create something, be very sure that you are in
fact the owner of that physical or intellectual property. Billions
of dollars have changed hands because people only thought they were.

Regards,
Andrew Ferguson