* Fedor Zuev <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [030812 22:56]: > Because "everyting is software" declarations does not really > serve for promotion of any freedom, but, contrary, only for stealing > freedom existed under the law.
Please note that there can be different definitions which vary by their field of use. (For extreme examples see the definition of ring in mathematics). > Of course, there is some differences between countries, but > they are relatively small regarding this subject. Under software > copyright user get far more restrictions and far less rights than > under any other flavor of copyright. Please note that most other jurisdictions normaly have their laws written in other languages, too. And in most countries the words in the law have a slightly different meaning than in normal use. (On example is murder. At least in Germany any form of killing is refered to as "Mord"(murder) in normal usage, whereas "Mord" in the sense of law is much more limited (intententions, lower motives and such things)). So while most jurisdictions may have different terms and some may even state the term "software" in their laws (I guess most will more likely take an more exact wording and only the commentary refer to software), we still have to find a suitable definition which of its meanings we want it to mean. And just saying all digital data is software is the easiest and most elegant meaning in this context. > In USA (and most of EU countries) you can legally rent copy > of any copyrighted book - but not a copy of computer program. I don't know about the whole EU, but I think I heared most clauses to prefent renting might be illegal in Germany. (At least noone should be able to stop you from renting a disc with programs on it, don't know if anyone might allowed to copy it to it's RAM). It think the most important difference between computer programs and non-computer-programs here in Germany is the ability to protect non-human-generated pieced (like compiled computer programs). Everything else has to be made by human and have a minimal artistic height. (I was told this non-sense was introduced to get the USA sign some international treaties about copyright protection). Hochachtungsvoll, Bernhard R. Link -- Sendmail is like emacs: A nice operating system, but missing an editor and a MTA.
