Re: A86: more on writing/running an asm prog.
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Re: A86: more on writing/running an asm prog.
Bryan Rabeler wrote:
> I think you can make a dump of the ROM to use for your own personal
> use, since when you bought the calc, you basically bought the use of the
> ROM.
This is correct. Current copyright law allows the purchaser of
copyrighted material to do just about anything with it *except* copy it
for commercial purposes. It's called "Fair Use" in copyright law.
A great deal of misinformation circulates on this subject:
"Decompilation or Disassembly prohibited".
"By opening this package you agree to the terms of the license".
"No part of this work may be reproduced or copied without written
permission".
Boilerplate on every piece of software you've got, right? And utter
baloney.
This stuff has no legal standing whatsoever under current copyright law.
Under current law you may decompile & disassemble to your heart's
content.
By opening the package you agree to nothing except what is provided for
by law.
You may reproduce and copy in part or the whole, for non-commercial
purpose.
As far as sending your buddy a ROM image - Probably ok, for
non-commercial purpose.
The rub is that by doing so you incur a potential liability for your
buddy's
actions - Not much risk, perhaps, but posting such material to a list or
web
web page is obviously a different matter altogether. Not a good idea.
Rather than belabor the matter further I would simply urge those
interested to
look into "Fair Use" doctrine. It's not a dead issue - The big software
houses
sponsor legislation every year which would diminish the scope of "Fair
Use"
and give admonishments such as those above the force of law.
Regards, Jack
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