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@database SHARECOMPILATION
@$VER: 0.8 6.03.95
@author "Martin Kopp"
@(c) "Copyright 1994,1995 Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany."
@index HeddleyAutoIndex
@remark Created with the help of Heddley v1.1 (c) Edd Dumbill 1994
@node "Main" "SHARECOMPILATION - English Guide."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "Copyright"
@{b}@{u}Sharecompilation@{ub}@{uu}
The sharecompilation ('share' "... 2 a: to partake of, use, experience,
occupy, or enjoy with others ..." Merriam Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary, Tenth Edition) of Software - short sharecompilation - is a
concept for the assembling, the production and the distribution of
reasonable large arrangements of all kinds of shareware, freeware,
public domain and similar software.
This document describes such a concept in detail and suggests the use
of it to bring high quality sets of freely distributable software
and/or data to a broad audience.
If you are using the hypertext version of this document, then you are
now only a mouseclick away from:
@{"
copyright
statement
address
author.
" link "Copyright" 0}
@{"
title,
revision
availability
information.
" link "TitleRevisionAvailability" 0}
@{"
short
introduction
concept
sharecompilation.
" link "ShortIntroduction" 0}
@{"
detailed
table
contents.
" link "TableOfContents" 0}
@{"
document'
section
hurried
readers.
" link "HowToRead" 0}
@{"
'What's
revision'
summary.
" link "WhatsNew" 0}
If you are reading the 'text only' version you have to scroll your
way to the relevant sections.
@endnode
@node "Copyright" "SHARECOMPILATION - Copyright."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "TitleRevisionAvailability"
@prev "Main"
@{b}@{u}Copyright.@{ub}@{uu}
This text is Copyright 1994,1995 by Martin Kopp
Frankenstr. 34
D-68259 Mannheim
Germany
This text may not be changed in any way. It may however be distributed
in its original form at no cost. But I would prefer to be noticed
about any large scale distribution.
There are no fees or other constraints for the usage of the concept
that is unfold in this text. Feel free to use it but if you want to
reference it in a legal context you have to use the following phrase:
"Sharecompilation Rev. 0.8 as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany"
(See the @{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0} section for information on the
old identification phrase, that was introduced in Rev. 0.7 and
included a @{"'MSRP'" link "Glossary" 0} definition.)
The reason for this is explained later in this document.
@endnode
@node "TitleRevisionAvailability" "SHARECOMPILATION - Title, Revision, Availability."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "HowToRead"
@prev "Copyright"
@{b}@{u}Title, Revision, Availability.@{ub}@{uu}
Title: The concept of a 'sharecompilation of Software' - DRAFT
Revision: $VER: sharecompilation_definition 0.8 6.03.95
This is still a draft document. I'm sorry that there are still places
to be filled and that some sections need to be updated. All the text
will be reorganized and reformatted as necessary. BUT the legal content
should be almost ready and will not be changed in a way that would not
be compatible with the thoughts, concepts etc. that are presented in
this revision. The English language will be improved.
This text is currently available in the following languages and forms
(certified by the author): English (AmigaGuide Hypertext format)
English (plain text, derived from the Guide)
If you want to translate it into other languages, then please contact
the author. Other forms planned by the author: German (plain text),
and German hypertext versions, but I had to recognize, that keeping
such a big document synchronized in two different languages takes
too much time for me at the moment. That may change in the future.
I promise to bring this document to Rev. 1.0. Whether I will be able
to continue to develop it and whether there is interest in it etc.
will be published in Rev 1.0. But I will definitely try to get someone
who takes care of this if I should not be able to do it.
All future revisions and any new information will be available by
anonymous ftp:
ftp walhalla.ira.uka.de (129.13.59.52)
get /sharecompilation/info.txt
This info.txt will be very short and will give you up to date
information on all available files.
My personal address is:
Martin Kopp
Frankenstr.34
D-68259 Mannheim
Germany
An email address for comments to the sharecompilation is:
martin.kopp@ira.uka.de
BUT: I am very busy at the moment and I can not promise to answer your
letters or email (I do not have direct access to this account). But
every constructive comment will be taken into account.
The single source for the actual version of this document is the ftp
address mentioned above. I try to get someone to set up everything that
is necessary to make the texts also available through some kind of
'automatic email'. See the info.txt on ftp for further information.
@endnode
@node "HowToRead" "SHARECOMPILATION - How to read this document."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@{b}@{u}How to read this document.@{ub}@{uu}
This is a fairly large document and not all the information provided
is important to every reader. So here is something like a guided tour
for different readers:
Tour 1: For the @{"'user'" link "Glossary" 0}.
The interested 'user' of Freeware, Shareware and other software
under similar legal status should read at least the reasonable
"@{"Short
introduction:
sharecompilation
software?" link "ShortIntroduction" 0}" and
"@{"What
advantages
sharecompilation?" link "Advantages" 0}". This should
give a reasonable overview of this concept. You, the end 'user',
are essential to the success of this concept because only if you
buy the sharecompilations (on CD-ROM or other storage medium) it
is possible to convince all the people involved in using it. And
you will get a lot advantages of it. So do not hesitate: these
parts of this document are short. You might also be interested in
the section "@{"Where
from?" link "WhereDoesItComeFrom" 0}" and you are invited to
read all the rest!
Tour 2: The extensions for the shareware @{"'author'" link "Glossary" 0}.
The 'author' of Freeware, Shareware and other software under
similar legal status should start reading the same sections as the
end 'user'. You will be introduced to the concept and the benefits
that you can get (of which the simplified legal situation, the well
defined low-profit situation and the broad distribution are the most
prominent ones). If you are interested then read on. You can skip
the "@{"Where
from?" link "WhereDoesItComeFrom" 0}" section if you are more interested
in facts than gossip. Of special interest are the four sections
"@{"The
analysis
situation." link "Analysis" 0}" - describing the problem to solve,
"@{"The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation." link "LegalDefinitions" 0}" - the essentials,
"@{"The
details:
single
'authors'
side." link "DetailsAuthor" 0}" - more focused stuff, and
the "@{"Example
disclaimers
etc." link "ExamplesGeneral" 0}".
Tour 3: The big tour for compilation @{"'assemblers'" link "Glossary" 0}.
The 'assembler' of compilations of Freeware, Shareware and other
software under similar legal status should read the whole text to
get all the information and to better understand all the aspects
that are relevant for the different people that are involved.
He might skip the "@{"Where
from?" link "WhereDoesItComeFrom" 0}" section but should
take special notice of the following important sections:
"@{"The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation." link "LegalDefinitions" 0}",
"@{"The
details:
'assemblers'
side." link "DetailsAssembler" 0}" and
"@{"Example
disclaimers
etc." link "ExamplesGeneral" 0}".
Tour 4: The special route for the @{"'producers'" link "Glossary" 0} and @{"'distributors'" link "Glossary" 0}.
Anyone who might be interested in the production or distribution
of a sharecompilation (which should be really interesting since
you can get a compilation of distributable software nearly for
free and under well defined conditions) should read the sections
"@{"Short
introduction:
Sharecompilation
Software?" link "ShortIntroduction" 0}",
"@{"What
advantages
sharecompilation?" link "Advantages" 0}",
"@{"The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation." link "LegalDefinitions" 0}",
"@{"The
details:
'producers'
side." link "DetailsProducer" 0}",
"@{"The
details:
'distributors'
side." link "DetailsDistributor" 0}" and
"@{"Example
disclaimers
etc" link "ExamplesGeneral" 0}.".
Anything else would be helpful to get the whole picture.
@endnode
@node "TableOfContents" "SHARECOMPILATION - Table of Contents."
@next "ShortIntroduction"
@prev "HowToRead"
@{b}@{u}Table of Contents.@{ub}@{uu}
@{"
Copyright.
" link "Copyright" 0}
@{"
Title,
Revision,
Availability.
" link "TitleRevisionAvailability" 0}
Table of Contents.
@{"
document.
" link "HowToRead" 0}
@{"
Short
introduction:
sharecompilation
software?
" link "ShortIntroduction" 0}
@{"
advantages
sharecompilation?
" link "Advantages" 0}
@{"
Where
from?
" link "WhereDoesItComeFrom" 0}
@{"
analysis
situation.
" link "Analysis" 0}
@{"
legal
definitions
sharecompilation.
" link "LegalDefinitions" 0}
@{"
details:
single
'authors'
side.
" link "DetailsAuthor" 0}
@{"
details:
'assemblers'
side.
" link "DetailsAssembler" 0}
@{"
details:
'producers'
side.
" link "DetailsProducer" 0}
@{"
details:
'distributors'
side.
" link "DetailsDistributor" 0}
@{"
Example
disclaimers
" link "ExamplesGeneral" 0}
@{"
Example
disclaimer
Share-/Free-/XXXware
'author'.
" link "ExampleDisclaimerAuthor" 0}
@{"
Example
disclaimer
Sharecompilation
'assembler'.
" link "ExampleDisclaimerAssembler" 0}
@{"
Example
sharecompilation
treaty
'assembler'
'producer'.
" link "ExampleTreaty" 0}
@{"
Example
license
included
compilation.
" link "ExampleLicense" 0}
@{"
Example
configurations.
" link "ExampleConfigurations" 0}
@{"
Glossary.
" link "Glossary." 0}
@{"
What's
revision?
" link "WhatsNew" 0}
@{"
Additional
thoughts.
" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0}
@endnode
@node "ShortIntroduction" "SHARECOMPILATION - Short introduction."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "Advantages"
@prev "TableOfContents"
@{b}@{u}Short introduction: What is a "Sharecompilation" of Software?@{ub}@{uu}
A sharecompilation ('share' "... 2 a: to partake of, use, experience,
occupy, or enjoy with others ..." Merriam Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary, Tenth Edition) of Software - short sharecompilation - is a
concept for the assembling, the production and the distribution of
reasonable large arrangements of all kinds of shareware, freeware,
public domain and similar software.
This concept can be used for any such arrangements of data, it is
platform independent, it is applicable for different volumes and
different storage media.
Possible candidates are compilations of shareware/freeware etc.,
compilations of public available data (telephone books, train/flight
timetables), promotional data collections, company specific
publications, etc.
The main goal is to provide a concept that is fair for all the people
involved. This includes the following groups, for which I want to
define some names (that will be used frequently in the context of the
sharecompilation definition):
the 'authors' of the individual software packages
the 'assemblers' of the compilation
the 'producers' of the distributed storage medium
the 'distributors' that sell the product to the 'users'
the 'users' that want to get hold of the software
The process should be as non-commercial as possible because all the
software on such compilations is per definition non-commercial
(shareware is non-commercial in the sense that you can decide for
yourself whether to pay the fee or not AFTER you inspected the product
and in accordance to the prospected usage of the program).
This will also help to solve many of the problems with disclaimers,
that restrict the distribution to be non-commercial or limit the
amount that can be asked for the medium.
To reach these goals I have developed the following main principals:
- The 'assembler' (the one who puts all the data together) should
work on a non-commercial basis, in the spirit of either Freeware
or Shareware. So he (or she) can get the recognition for the
hard labor that the assembling of a large compilation demands.
He may also request a small donation or fee if the 'users' are
satisfied with the result - just as the programmers do for
their hard work.
- The 'assembler' should be separate from the 'producer' (the one
who actually invests in the production of the CD or whatever
storage medium is distributed).
- The 'distributor' may be the same as the 'producer', but this
is not necessary.
- After a well defined period of exclusive production (to protect
the interests of the first 'investor') other 'producers' may
join. This should result in some kind of competition to keep
the 'producers' from raising too much profit.
- A fixed maximum suggested retail price (defined to be less
than US $13 or DM 20 for a single distributed medium, see
the
@{"'The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation.'" link "LegalDefinitions" 0}
section)
should be defined by the 'assembler' and has to be accepted
by the 'producers'. This should prevent the 'distributors'
to raise their stakes.
This document defines necessary and optional parts of the
sharecompilation concept and I propose these definitions as a new
standard - the sharecompilation standard.
The full details (and there are plenty of them) of the concept are
revealed later in this document.
Since there might be other people (hopefully not) defining similar
concepts it is necessary to reference a sharecompilation of the kind
that is described throughout this document in the following way:
"Sharecompilation Rev. X.X as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany"
(See the @{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0} section for information on the
old identification phrase, that was introduced in Rev. 0.7 and
included a @{"'MSRP'" link "Glossary" 0} definition.)
Such a reference is inevitable not only to prevent confusion but
because this document can thereby be used in legal texts such as
disclaimers, treaties, etc. like for instance the GNU public license.
@endnode
@node "Advantages" "SHARECOMPILATION - Advantages."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "WhereDoesItComeFrom"
@prev "ShortIntroduction"
@{b}@{u}What are the advantages of a sharecompilation?@{ub}
@{uu}
The main advantage is a low price of the distributed compilation which
in turn results in:
- broader distribution of the compilation because most people
prefer cheaper things and some people just do not have the
money for the expensive ones.
- more happiness among the Freeware 'authors' of programs or data
on the compilation because they can reach more people.
- more happiness among the Shareware (Giftware etc.) 'authors' of
programs (or data) that are part of the distribution because
they will not only reach more people, but these people will be
more inclined to pay the fee (the gift etc.) that was requested,
due to the lower price they had to pay for the data in the
first place.
- more happiness among the 'assemblers' of such compilations
because software that is defined to be distributable on
sharecompilations as defined by this document makes it easier
for them to verify the restrictions that result out of the
copyright and the disclaimer.
- more happiness for the 'producers' and 'distributors' (at least
in a long term evaluation) because cheaper means higher volume,
higher volume means more CD-ROM drives, more CD-ROM drives mean
higher volume ... And the fact that they get the compilation
nearly free should be realistically seen as giving biscuits to
the children. And there is a defined base of discussion when
they speak with potential 'assemblers'.
- more happiness among the 'users' for there will be more freely
distributable software because some 'authors' stopped working
on projects or stopped publishing them when they realized that
there are too many people making too many profit of their work.
Now these 'authors' can include the right to distribute their
software as part of a sharecompilation (a defined by this
document - with or without a maximum suggested retail price for
the medium) very easy in their disclaimers.
So everybody should be more happy with the concept of a
sharecompilation!
Hey! Let us be more realistic! There are individuals that will not be
happy:
- 'assemblers' of compilations who want to make a high profit out
of the work of others (The labor that has to be invested into
the assembling of the compilation is approximately equal to the
labor that has to be invested into one or two of the thousands
of programs which make up the compilation. So why should this
single person (or group) get rich while all the others get
nothing?)
- 'producers' and 'distributors' with the same intention!
But who cares - really?
If you like this concept there is still one problem: There has to be a
way of knowing whether a product obeys these rules or not. So I
created the name sharecompilation to describe this concept and any
user can verify very easy whether the product is a sharecompilation of
this sort by looking for a reference on the package like:
"Sharecompilation Rev. 0.8 as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany"
(See the @{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0} section for information on the
old identification phrase, that was introduced in Rev. 0.7 and
included a @{"'MSRP'" link "Glossary" 0} definition.)
where the Rev. X.X stands for the revision number of this document.
This document and all new revisions will be published on various
sources like the Internet.
The first official sharecompilation was the CD "Meeting Pearls Volume 1"
that was managed by Angela Schmidt, Neu-Ulm, Germany with a @{"MSRP/MEVP" link "Glossary" 0}
US $ 13 / DM 19.80.
That's it so far, I hope you like it. Any constructive comments may be
send to the author. (I've got an email account for this baby, see the
section "@{"Title,
Revision,
Availability." link "TitleRevisionAvailability" 0}" at the beginning of this
document for details.
@endnode
@node "WhereDoesItComeFrom" "SHARECOMPILATION - Where does it come from?"
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "Analysis"
@prev "Advantages"
@{b}@{u}Where does it come from?@{ub}@{uu}
This concept emerged out of my frustration that there were
compilations of so called freely distributable software that had some
strange characteristics.
These compilations - CD-ROMs to be more concrete - had a compilation
copyright on them so that you could not legally copy them to your hard
disk or to a streamer tape (in some cases even the copying of parts of
the compilation was forbidden).
The reason was that the 'producers' did not want that anybody could
copy the content of the CD because they would loose a whole lot of
money in this case. Why could they loose money on disks that were
99,99% full with material that they did not had the copyright of?
(Strange, but this will be explained later in this document).
These CD-ROMs had a price tag ranging from 50 DM to more than 150 DM,
which I found to be a further reason of frustration.
Many discussions - not only on the Internet - were held on this topic.
And there was the next great reason to be frustrated: Some people even
supported the idea that the compilation copyright of the
'producer'/'distributor' had to be obeyed at all costs while the
copyright and the disclaimers of the individual software pieces that -
in many cases - prohibited the commercial distribution was named an
insult to the idea of freely distributable software. Really strange -
isn't it?
Without these 'authors' there would be nothing to be distributed at
all!
STOP! No more flames! Let us be more constructive! Let us analyze the
facts.
@endnode
@node "Analysis" "SHARECOMPILATION - Analysis of the situation."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "LegalDefinitions"
@prev "WhereDoesItComeFrom"
@{b}@{u}The analysis of the situation.@{ub}@{uu}
I tried to sort out the individual facts that made up this mess and
tried to be fair to all of the people involved.
In a discussion (some would call it a monologue) at a meeting in
Karlsruhe I gathered information from different fractions, combined it
with my own knowledge of the subject, tried to structure all of it and
found the following things to be important:
- To assemble a compilation of software the size of a
complete CD-ROM is hard labor if the resulting
product should uphold a high quality standard.
- Therefore it is necessary to provide the people
that do this job with some kind of compensation (or
they will not carry on with their work).
- High quality standard means to meet as much
criteria as possible from the following (unequivocal
incomplete) list. All material should be
- free of viruses or equal nasties.
- only included if the inclusion does not
violate the respective copyright.
- the most recent version of the software.
- ready to run from the CD-ROM.
- organized in a way that allows easy access.
- accompanied by a description.
- complete with all files.
- easy to install on your hard disk. (Even if it
is possible to use it from the CD-ROM.)
- The production of a reasonable quantity of CD-ROMs
and the distribution of them costs money that someone
has to invest in a project that might fail.
- Therefore it is necessary to give these people a
kind of compensation (or they will not continue to
invest their money in such projects).
- For many different reasons most of the people who
do a good job in assembling these compilations do not
have enough money to risk a full production run.
- For many different reasons most of the people, who
have the money for a full blown production run, do
not have the knowledge, the resources, the time or
the personnel to assemble a high quality software
compilation.
- Only a full blown production run (of about 1000 to
5000 pieces or more) results in a low price for the
single CD-ROM (mainly because the process that is
called "mastering" costs a lot of money and has to be
done whether you produce 100 or 10000 CDs). This is
more or less also true for any other possible storage
medium.
- You need a well developed distribution network to
sell the CDs (or whatever you distribute) as fast as
possible to get back the money that you invested.
- Only a low price combined with a high quality
compilation will result in a strong demand for the
product so that great quantity of disks can be sold
in a short time.
- The 'authors' of the individual software pieces
(whether shareware, freeware, public domain or
similar software) want a fast and wide spread
distribution of their respective work.
- Most of these 'authors' do not want that the medium
on which the software is distributed costs too much
There are some that do not want anybody to make
profit of their hard labor, some who think that a
high price may prevent many people to get their hands
on their software, some who fear that 'users' may not
pay their shareware fee considering they already paid
much for the storage medium and some others that do
not like it for whatever reason they may have.
- Most 'users' do not want that the medium on which
the compilation is distributed costs too much. There
are some (quite a lot) who like to have money and
therefore do have objections to give it away whereas
some others want to buy more than one compilation but
do not have enough money and so on and so on ...
- Some 'authors' do not want their work to be
distributed if there are too many people making
profit of it and stop publishing their programs if
their disclaimers are not followed.
- Some 'users' regret the fact that some 'authors'
stop to write or publish good software.
- Great quantities of CD-ROM disks can only be sold
if there are many CD-ROM drives to use them.
- Great quantities of CD-ROM drives can only be sold
if they are cheap enough and if there is a large
selection of cheap software titles.
As a conclusion everybody (or at least most of the people) would be
happy to have high quality software compilations at a low price with a
reasonable compensation for all the people that work hard or invest
money, while the copyright of all the individual 'authors' should be
obeyed to keep them writing new software for the next compilation.
OK - that's it! Simple! A solution came to mind and I presented it to
some of the people at the meeting in Karlsruhe. Most of them were
quite exited (in a positive way).
Here it is: @{"The
concept
sharecompilation:" link "Advantages" 0}
@endnode
@node "LegalDefinitions" "SHARECOMPILATION - Legal definitions."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "DetailsAuthor"
@prev "Analysis"
@{b}@{u}The legal definitions of a sharecompilation.@{ub}@{uu}
This and the following sections "The details..." cover the essential
definitions that have to be followed if you want to reference your
work to the sharecompilation concept defined by this document.
All the constraints, all limits and all definitions have to be obeyed.
There is still enough room in form of optional parts that can be
customized. But even if you break one rule only, you cannot reference
your work to be related to:
"Sharecompilation Rev. X.X as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany".
This is essential because all the people involved rely on and trust in
these definitions and part of them even use them in the legal sections
of their work. (See also the @{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0} section, for
more information regarding the old form of this identification phrase,
defined in Rev. 0.7, which included a @{"'MSRP'" link "Glossary" 0}.)
--- So PLEASE be precise! ---
(Part of this information was already presented earlier in the
document as a general introduction and motivation but in this context
it is presented as definitions!)
The concept is build around several main definitions that apply to all
the people involved (Special details for each group are placed in the
following sections):
- The 'assembler' of the compilation is not the 'producer'
of it. (Exception: The person that is both 'assembler' and
'producer' has to separately follow all the respective
rules!)
- Anyone who is willing to produce the compilation under
the restrictions of the 'assembler' has to get the chance
to do it. But the 'assembler' can choose which one gets the
first license (that gets a special treatment - see below).
- Restrictions can be, for example, the 'suggested retail
price' that has to be clearly visible on the cover, the
form of the distribution, the quantity etc. Restrictions are
not allowed regarding the domain of the distribution (this
could otherwise lead to a kind of monopoly), the time span
in which the product may be sold (in contrast to the
production time span which might be restricted) or any
personal objections against the 'producer'. No lower limit
can be defined for the retail price. If someone wants to
produce it at a lower price, he or she can do it!
- For all people involved there is an upper limit for the
suggested retail price, that has to be included on the
cover of the product, of US $ 13 (DM 20) for a single
distribution media (CD-ROM, Streamer tape or equivalent -
no Floppy Disks allowed!). If the sharecompilation
consists of more than one of these pieces that are
distributed as a kind of 'set', then the overall 'suggested
retail price' for the 'set' may be US $ 7 (DM 10) higher for
each additional piece. Any lower price is naturally welcome
and it is the responsibility of the 'assembler' to uphold
the principle of low profit margins and economic production/
distribution. From revision 0.8 on, this has to be true for
any production volume, distribution form, media etc. (This
has proven to be reasonable with the production of the first
sharecompilation 'Meeting Pearls Volume I' managed by Angela
Schmidt - see also the section @{"'Additional
thoughts" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0}').
- All restrictions have to be equal for all producers!
Exceptions are: the 'first producer protection period'
term and the 'cover mounted distribution', presented
below, as well as the increasing of the production
quantities and changes of the 'suggested retail price', that
has to be readable on the cover, due to general changes
of the production costs (higher volumes result in a lower
price; after a given period the production costs might
generally be lower, which should be reflected by the
lowering of the retail price).
- If a 'producer' is a publisher who wants to mount the
distributed media onto the cover of a magazine or news
paper, the following exception rules may be applied, but
only for a period of time after the 'first producer protection
period':
- it is declared to be legal, that the 'assembler' offers
him the 'exclusive' distribution right for this form
of distribution in a certain domain and for a given
time period. (Other distribution channels in the same
domain or elsewhere are not touched by this 'exclusive
right' and may exist at the same time!)
- the 'retail price' of the complete product, including
the sharecompilation media, has to be lower than or
equal to US $13 (DM 20).
The 'first producer' may voluntary give a written declaration
of consent to make such a production possible during his
'exclusive production period'.
These exception were necessary since such a 'cover mounted'
distribution has to be planed a long time in advance and
it does not make sense to have two or more magazines with
the same disk on it, neither for the publishers nor for
the readers.
- The first 'producer' of a new compilation may get a small
period of exclusive production to compensate for the risk
that is involved in it (should not be more than 3 months).
- The 'producers' and the 'distributors' get their
compensation from selling the product.
- Every 'producer' has to pay a fee once to get the
compilation and the license to produce it directly from the
'assembler'. This fee is only meant to prevent the
'assembler' to be overrun by people who want to get the
compilation and do not intend to produce it. The fee should
be small (less than US $ 60 or DM 100) and preferable be
paid in the form of a small quantity (10 to 30 pieces) of
the product (CD-ROM, tape or whatever storage medium is
used for the distribution).
- Every 'producer' has to produce a new ISO-Image (or
whatever 'mastering' process is needed for the chosen
storage medium) for his production. (This should be clear
because the license file has to be updated - see below)
- The compensation of the 'assembler' results out of the
fee mentioned above and anything that he asks the 'users'
of the compilation for and that these 'users' are willing
to give to him. There should not be any kind of pressure on
the 'users' to do so (besides the usual PLEASE). He can
only ask for compensation relating to the assembling of the
compilation - not for the content of it!
- There has to be a reference to this document in the
defined standard form (see comments in the 'Details...'
sections).
- There can be no restrictions on the private use of the
compilation and the copying of parts or the whole
compilation for private use besides the restrictions of the
individual copyrighted software that is part of the
compilation.
- A 'license' text has to be included as part of the
compilation with the addresses of all the actual
legitimated producers, the address of the assembler and his
or her explicit statement that these people may produce the
compilation (See the @{"examples" link "ExampleLicense" 0} at the end of the document!)
@endnode
@node "DetailsAuthor" "SHARECOMPILATION - 'Authors' side."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "DetailsAssembler"
@prev "LegalDefinitions"
@{b}@{u}The details: The single 'authors' side.@{ub}@{uu}
Any 'author' of a Freeware, Shareware or similar product (program or
data) who agrees to these definitions and who wants to take advantage
of this new distribution scheme can add the following lines to his or
her disclaimer:
"This program may be distributed as part of a sharecompilation
Rev.X.X as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany. The author agrees
to the legal terms that are defined by this document."
(See the @{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0} section for information on the
old identification phrase, that was introduced in Rev. 0.7 and
included a @{"'MSRP'" link "Glossary" 0} definition.)
The old identification phrase is still compatible with Rev. 0.8 and
higher, since the assembler has to verify the MSRP that you defined
for Rev. 0.7 against the 'suggested retail price' that has to be
clearly visible on the cover.
For details about the amounts that can be demanded for the
sharecompilation in which your work might be included see the
@{"'The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation.'" link "LegalDefinitions" 0} section.
If you have reason to suspect any sharecompilation that claims to
follow these definitions to contravene against a rule - especially
regarding the 'low profit' and 'economic production' ideas - then
please contact the 'assembler', since I am not able to verify the
individual contracts.
Naturally you have to claim legally a copyright on the data/program
because without that you are not entitled to make any restrictions.
There may be other terms in your disclaimer, as long as none of them
negates any of the definitions. There are example disclaimers at the
end of this document.
Your benefit of including this line is that a potentially interested
'assembler' of such a compilation can easily verify your consent. This
makes it more likely that your program is included but gives you the
security of knowing what all these people will do with your work.
@endnode
@node "DetailsAssembler" "SHARECOMPILATION - 'Assemblers' details."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "DetailsProducer"
@prev "DetailsAuthor"
@{b}@{u}The details: The 'assemblers' side.@{ub}@{uu}
Any 'assembler' of a sharecompilation that follows the definitions of
a sharecompilation as presented in this document has to include the
following lines in his disclaimer.
"This compilation adheres to the definitions of a sharecompilation
Rev. X.X as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany".
(See the @{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0} section for information on the
old identification phrase, that was introduced in Rev. 0.7 and
included a @{"'MSRP'" link "Glossary" 0} definition.)
Of course you have to claim a compilation copyright on your collection
of data. There are @{"example
disclaimers" link "ExamplesGeneral" 0} at the end of this document.
Whether this compilation copyright is legal or not should not be of
your concern. If it is not, then every CD-ROM or other large
collection of data has no such copyright and everyone can copy it
(whether it is a disk from Fred Fish or a part of the Internet.)
All the @{"general
definitions" link "LegalDefinitions" 0} have to be obeyed! You will have to have a
treaty with every single 'producer'. There is an example treaty at the
end of this document.
Your benefit of including this line is that a potentially interested
'producer' knows exactly what this is all about. Furthermore you can
include all the program or data that is released for the inclusion in
sharecompilations (as long as the 'suggested retail price', htat has to
be clearly visible on the cover of the product, is less or equal to the
possibly given @{"MSRP" link "Glossary" 0}, which was defined in Rev. 0.7 and still has to be
obeyed). And you can easily verify the authors consent.
If you plan to produce a sharecompilation you might be interested in
contacting:
Stefan Ossowski Schatztruhe
Gesellschaft f
r Software mbH
Veronikastra
D-45131 Essen
Germany
He is the producer of the first official sharecompilation named
"Meeting Pearls Volume 1" Copyright by Angela Schmidt, Neu-Ulm,
Germany, and accepted the conditions with @{"MSRP" link "Glossary" 0} US $12 (DM 19,80) and
these two, Stefan Ossowski and Angela Schmidt, are therefore proof
that there is interest in this concept. He also declared in principle
his willingness and interest to produce other CD-ROMs under the
definitions of a sharecompilation as described in this document. BUT,
there is no guarantee whether he will produce it and, hopefully, there
are other producers! (see also @{"'Additional
thoughts'" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0})
IMPORTANT: Only assemble a compilation after you made sure that there
is a 'producer' interested. (There is no guarantee that someone will
produce it if no one sees a market for it - no matter how good it
might be!)
If I get notice of other proven producers, I will try to present
them in future revisions of this document. Actually you can try to
approach any of the bigger producers of CD-ROMs. A recent questioning
of several German producers/distributors about their interest in
the possible production of the 'Meeting pearls Volume 2' - under the
restrictions of the sharecompilation concept - resulted in a general
high acceptance. The fact that in the end Stefan Ossowski Schatztruhe
Gesellschaft f
r Software mbH was again selected, was due to his
experience with the first CD and the extremely good distribution
channels he can offer etc. Nevertheless - the other producers would
have accepted the conditions, at least for a high quality product
like the 'Meeting Pearls'.
It is possible that there is a group of assemblers. In this case there
has to be one legal representative or all the names have to be
included at every instance where the 'assembler' has to be mentioned
(Copyright, License etc.).
The 'assembler' has to ensure that the best efforts are used to check
the whole compilation to be free of viruses, that every single
copyright text has been paid attention to and that the software is
installed completely (and directly usable, if this is appropriate).
Be especially careful with pictures (No pictures of single persons
without their explicit agreement) and sound and music files (almost
all of them have copyright on them and cannot be included!)
A note has to be included about shareware programs and shareware fees
in the documentation.
The 'assembler' provides the compilation on a transfer medium on which
he and the 'producer' agreed on (see example treaty at the end of this
document). The compilation has to be ready for production in a form
that both agreed on.
It is advisable that in the case, that a voluntary donation is
requested from the 'users', a kind of transfer form to an account
is included with each CD. The 'producer' has to accept this on demand
of the 'assembler'.
The 'producer' has to cover all the needed expenses of the 'assembler'
(like telephone, medium, postage, etc.)
The 'assembler' has to provide the 'producer' with reasonable
information about his expenses and should announce any higher amounts
to the 'producer'.
The 'assembler' commits himself to provide a given amount of data of
high quality (as defined in this document in the former section
@{"'The
analysis
situation.'" link "Analysis" 0}). Normally the storage medium should
be nearly full (this might not be true if a sharecompilation was
planned for a CD-ROM and gets distributed on DAT-Tape, for example).
@endnode
@node "DetailsProducer" "SHARECOMPILATION - 'Producers' details."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "DetailsDistributor"
@prev "DetailsAssembler"
@{b}@{u}The details: The 'producers' side.@{ub}@{uu}
Any 'producer' of a sharecompilation that follows the definitions of a
sharecompilation as presented in this document has to include the
following lines in his documentation and clearly visible on the
package:
"This compilation adheres to the definitions of a sharecompilation
Rev. X.X as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany".
(See the @{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0} section for information on the
old identification phrase, that was introduced in Rev. 0.7 and
included a @{"'MSRP'" link "Glossary" 0} definition.)
The 'producer' has to ensure that a notice that explains the shareware
concept and the consequences thereof is clearly visible on the package.
The suggested retail price, on which the 'assembler' and 'producer'
agreed in their treaty, has to be clearly visible on the package.
It is suggested to print the price in multiple currencies if you
expect a multi-national distribution. For foreign countries the
price mentioned might be as high as an US $ 13 equivalent even
if the national price is lower because of the additional costs
that result from higher shipping rates (from 'producer' to the
'distributor') and/or tax rates etc.
The 'producer' gets his authorization through the content of a License
file that is part of the compilation.
The 'producer' has to ensure that the 'user' can estimate how much
data is included in the compilation. This information has to be
clearly visible on the package.
The 'assembler' provides the compilation on a transfer medium on which
he and the 'producer' agreed on (see example treaty at the end of this
document). The compilation has to be ready for production in a form
that both agreed on.
The 'producer' has no right to alter any part of the content of the
compilation without approval by the 'assembler'.
The 'producer' is responsible for the generating of an ISO-Image (or any
other 'mastering' process that is needed).
Since it is advisable that in the case, that a voluntary donation is
requested from the 'users', a kind of transfer form to an account
is included with each CD, the 'producer' has to accept this on demand
of the 'assembler'.
The 'producer' has to cover all the needed expenses of the 'assembler'
(like telephone, medium, postage etc.).
The 'assembler' has to provide the 'producer' with reasonable
information about his expenses and should announce any higher amounts
to the 'producer'.
The 'producer' has to provide the 'assembler' with reasonable
information to verify, that the production is economic and follows
the principle of low profit margins. (For example it can not be
viewed as an economic production, if the producer claims production
costs that only allow a suggested retail price of US $ 13 (DM 20)
for a production run of 100000 CD-ROMs.)
If I get notice of proven 'producers', I will try to present them
in future revisions of this document. (See also the section
@{"'The
details:
'assemblers'
side.'" link "DetailsAssembler" 0} for more information on
other 'producers')
The benefit for the 'producer' is obvious: He can get the complete
compilation ready for production under precisely defined legal
conditions nearly for free. See also the section @{"'Additional
thoughts'" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0}
for first experiences with this concept.
@endnode
@node "DetailsDistributor" "SHARECOMPILATION - 'Distributors' details."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "ExamplesGeneral"
@prev "DetailsProducer"
@{b}@{u}The details: The 'distributors' side.@{ub}@{uu}
The benefit of the 'distributor' is, that his customer knows what he
gets and that the name sharecompilation will be seen as a sign of
quality for a fair price. In revision 0.7 I still added '(hopefully)'.
But the first sharecompilation produced 'Meeting pearls Volume 1'
has been such a great success (which is naturally mainly because the
contents was really first choice and the presentation was superb)
that I can now be confident to say that the concept, paired with
a high quality compilation, is a proven success.
So if you are interested, then pass the message! (See also the
section @{"'Additional
thoughts" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0}' for more details.)
@endnode
@node "ExamplesGeneral" "SHARECOMPILATION - Example documents."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "ExampleDisclaimerAuthor"
@prev "DetailsDistributor"
@{b}@{u}Example Documents.@{ub}@{uu}
The following documents may be used as raw concepts for various
sharecompilation related legal matters. They have proven to be
useful with the first sharecompilation "Meeting Pearls Volume 1"
by Angela Schmidt and affiliated people.
@{"
Example
disclaimer
Share-/Free-/XXXware
'author'.
" link "ExampleDisclaimerAuthor" 0}
@{"
Example
disclaimer
Sharecompilation
'assembler'.
" link "ExampleDisclaimerAssembler" 0}
@{"
Example
sharecompilation
treaty
'assembler'
'producer'.
" link "ExampleTreaty" 0}
@{"
Example
license
included
compilation.
" link "ExampleLicense" 0}
@endnode
@node "ExampleDisclaimerAuthor" "SHARECOMPILATION - Example disclaimer 'Author'."
@toc "ExamplesGeneral"
@next "ExampleDisclaimerAssembler"
@prev "ExamplesGeneral"
@{b}@{u} Example disclaimer for the Sharecompilation 'assembler'@{ub}@{uu}.
You have to replace the [] parts in the following text.
-------------------------------CUT HERE---------------------------
This software compilation is Copyright [year] by [assembler.name],
[assembler.city], [assembler.country] - All Rights Reserved.
This compilation adheres to the definitions of a sharecompilation
Rev. X.X as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany.
The copyright of the individual programs or data belongs to the
respective authors.
Under the following conditions it is legal to copy the compilation
itself:
Private:
As long as everything happens for free and non-commercial (see
below), the compilation can be copied as whole or only parts of
it as often as you want. This means that you can make private
copies on DAT-tape, other streamers, hard disks, piles of disks
etc.. Preferable there should be a notice about the source or
- in the case of near complete copies - all the original ReadMe
files should be enclosed. The copyright of the individual programs
or data and all their restrictions have to be heeded absolutely.
This includes shareware payments, as they are requested. The
purchase or the legal acquisition of this compilation does not
include the compensation of the individual share fees.
Commercial:
This compilation may be reproduced as whole or only parts of it
only under the following conditions:
If only single programs or data will be redistributed and the
copyright of every single respective author is followed in every
single case! Furthermore every single software package must
include a note about the source in the form "These files were
taken from the [sharecompilation.name], Copyright [year] by
[assembler.name], [assembler.city], [assembler.country].".
or
If the whole compilation has been received directly from the
address mentioned below and all the respective requirements
were adhered to. As a proof of the legitimacy a file named
"License" exists including the names of all actual legitimated
producers plus a declaration of consent and the address of
[assembler.name] where anybody with a reasonable suspicion can
verify this information. If anyone thinks that there is a market
for this CD, for example in the back of Mongolia, please contact
the same address.
In general:
Neither [assembler.name] nor the legal producer of the original
unchanged [sharecompilation.name] [CD, DAT, etc.] that was
received from [assembler.name] take any warranty or responsibility
for any kind of damage that may result through the usage of this
compilation.
Best efforts were used to check the whole compilation to be free
of viruses, that every single copyright text has been paid
attention to and that the software was installed completely [and
directly usable]. In the case that - despite this care - any of
the above mentioned points has not been reached it is not possible
to take any responsibility.
Should there be a case in which the copyright was unintentionally
violated, the victim should please get in contact with the address
mentioned below, so that for further distributions the damage can
be limited as much as possible. Thank you.
In the case that one or more terms of this disclaimer might not be
legal in one or more countries, then these terms are defined to be
not valid for these countries, but the remaining terms stay intact
and similar or equivalent legal terms to the ones that are void
should be accepted.
The file [ReadMeFirst] should be read before usage of this CD.
Name and address of the representative:
[assembler.name]
[assembler.address]
-------------------------------CUT HERE---------------------------
@endnode
@node "ExampleDisclaimerAssembler" "SHARECOMPILATION - Example disclaimer 'Assembler'."
@toc "ExamplesGeneral"
@next "ExampleTreaty"
@prev "ExampleDisclaimerAuthor"
@{b}@{u}Example disclaimer for the Sharecompilation 'assembler'.@{ub}@{uu}
You have to replace the [] parts in the following text.
-------------------------------CUT HERE---------------------------
This software compilation is Copyright [year] by [assembler.name],
[assembler.city], [assembler.country] - All Rights Reserved.
This compilation adheres to the definitions of a sharecompilation
Rev. X.X as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany.
The copyright of the individual programs or data belongs to the
respective authors.
Under the following conditions it is legal to copy the compilation
itself:
Private:
As long as everything happens for free and non-commercial (see
below), the compilation can be copied as whole or only parts of
it as often as you want. This means that you can make private
copies on DAT-tape, other streamers, hard disks, piles of disks
etc.. Preferable there should be a notice about the source or
- in the case of near complete copies - all the original ReadMe
files should be enclosed. The copyright of the individual programs
or data and all their restrictions have to be heeded absolutely.
This includes shareware payments, as they are requested. The
purchase or the legal acquisition of this compilation does not
include the compensation of the individual share fees.
Commercial:
This compilation may be reproduced as whole or only parts of it
only under the following conditions:
If only single programs or data will be redistributed and the
copyright of every single respective author is followed in every
single case! Furthermore every single software package must
include a note about the source in the form "These files were
taken from the [sharecompilation.name], Copyright [year] by
[assembler.name], [assembler.city], [assembler.country].".
or
If the whole compilation has been received directly from the
address mentioned below and all the respective requirements
were adhered to. As a proof of the legitimacy a file named
"License" exists including the names of all actual legitimated
producers plus a declaration of consent and the address of
[assembler.name] where anybody with a reasonable suspicion can
verify this information. If anyone thinks that there is a market
for this CD, for example in the back of Mongolia, please contact
the same address.
In general:
Neither [assembler.name] nor the legal producer of the original
unchanged [sharecompilation.name] [CD, DAT, etc.] that was
received from [assembler.name] take any warranty or responsibility
for any kind of damage that may result through the usage of this
compilation.
Best efforts were used to check the whole compilation to be free
of viruses, that every single copyright text has been paid
attention to and that the software was installed completely [and
directly usable]. In the case that - despite this care - any of
the above mentioned points has not been reached it is not possible
to take any responsibility.
Should there be a case in which the copyright was unintentionally
violated, the victim should please get in contact with the address
mentioned below, so that for further distributions the damage can
be limited as much as possible. Thank you.
In the case that one or more terms of this disclaimer might not be
legal in one or more countries, then these terms are defined to be
not valid for these countries, but the remaining terms stay intact
and similar or equivalent legal terms to the ones that are void
should be accepted.
The file [ReadMeFirst] should be read before usage of this CD.
Name and address of the representative:
[assembler.name]
[assembler.address]
-------------------------------CUT HERE---------------------------
@endnode
@node "ExampleTreaty" "SHARECOMPILATION - Example treaty 'Assembler'<->'Producer'."
@toc "ExamplesGeneral"
@next "ExampleLicense"
@prev "ExampleDisclaimerAssembler"
@{b}@{u}Example treaty between 'assembler' and 'producer' of the@{ub}@{uu}
@{b}@{u}sharecompilation.@{ub}@{uu}
*** Sorry not yet written in this draft version of
this document. Will be added as soon as possible!
@endnode
@node "ExampleLicense" "SHARECOMPILATION - Example license."
@toc "ExamplesGeneral"
@next "ExampleConfigurations"
@prev "ExampleTreaty"
@{b}@{u}Example license file to be included in the compilation.@{ub}@{uu}
You have to replace the [] parts in the following text.
-------------------------------CUT HERE---------------------------
[assembler.city], [assembler.country], [date]
Licence
=======
This compilation adheres to the definitions of a sharecompilation
Rev. X.X as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany.
Herewith I issue the licence to produce the [sharecompilation.name]
in arbitrary quantities - as long as a good readable "recommended
retail price" of less than or equal to [the defined suggested
retail price] (or an equal amount in another currency) is placed
on the packaging - to
[producer.name]
[producer.address]
Furthermore I issue a licence to anyone to copy the compilation
non-commercially, as long as nothing of the enclosed data is
changed or the conditions in the file [Legal.Readme] are obeyed.
[assembler.name]
[assembler.address]
-------------------------------CUT HERE---------------------------
@endnode
@node "ExampleConfigurations" "SHARECOMPILATION - Example configurations."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "Glossary"
@prev "ExampleLicense"
@{b}@{u}Example configurations.@{ub}@{uu}
*** Sorry not yet written in this draft version of this
document. Will be added as soon as possible!
@endnode
@node "Glossary" "SHARECOMPILATION - Glossary."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "WhatsNew"
@prev "ExampleConfigurations"
@{b}@{u}Glossary@{ub}@{uu}
'assembler' - (The one who puts all the data together.)
'author' - (The one who writes or generates the individual
software packages.)
'distributor' - (The one who sells the product to the 'users'.)
'MSRP' - (The Maximum Suggested Retail Price that was
defined by the 'author' for the software package,
defined by the 'assembler' for the compilation
and that the 'producer' agreed to accept in the
process of negotiating with the 'assembler'.)
This was a definition that was introduced in
Rev. 0.7 and is obsolete for Rev. 0.8 and higher.
To keep all revisions compatible, the assembler
Has to verify all 'MSRP' references against the
'suggested retail price' that has to be clearly
visible on the cover.
References to Revision 0.7 of this document
regard this MSRP as defined for a CD-ROM
production of 3000 pieces.
See also the @{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0} section.
'producer' - (The one who actually invests in the production
of the CD or whatever storage medium is
distributed.)
'share' - ("... 2 a: to partake of, use, experience, occupy,
or enjoy with others ..." Merriam Webster's
Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition.)
'user' - (The one who want to get hold of the software.)
@endnode
@node "WhatsNew" "SHARECOMPILATION - What's new in this revision."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@next "AdditionalThoughts"
@prev "Glossary"
@{b}@{u}What's new in this revision?@{ub}@{uu}
Following is a list of the changes to the document from revision 0.7
to revision 0.8:
- Transformed the text into an hypertext document (AmigaGuide,
others can be generated with reasonable effort).
- The 'text only' version is derived more or less automatic from
the hypertext version, so they should really have the same
content.
- Slightly updated and improved the overall text.
- No more German versions promised for 'near' release due to the
problems in keeping the two big texts synchronous.
- Added the 'What's new in this revision' section.
- Updated the '@{"Table
contents" link "TableOfContents" 0}'.
- Updated the '@{"Glossary" link "Glossary" 0}'.
- At the end of section @{"'The
details:
single
'authors'
side.'" link "DetailsAuthor" 0}
some information about other possible producers was added.
Furthermore a paragraph was added with respect to responsibilities
of the 'assembler':
"If you have reason to suspect any sharecompilation that claims
to follow these definitions to contravene against a rule -
especially regarding the 'low profit' and 'economic production'
ideas - then please contact the 'assembler', since I am not able
to verify the individual contracts."
- A paragraph was added to the rules of the 'assembler' and the
'producer, which I only included to clarify things. Naturally
the 'producer' has to cover all the costs involved with the
production of the medium, including (a preferable attractive)
cover etc. And since the inclusion of such a transfer form
has proven to be critical for the amount of donations
received it has to be included on request of the 'assembler':
"It is advisable that in the case, that a voluntary donation
is requested from the 'users', a kind of transfer form to
an account is included with each CD. The 'producer' has
to accept this on demand of the 'assembler'."
- A further paragraph of the rules of the 'producer' was updated:
"The suggested retail price, on which the 'assembler' and
'producer' agreed in their treaty, has to be clearly visible
on the package. It is suggested to print the price in multiple
currencies if you expect a multi-national distribution. For
foreign countries the price mentioned might be as high as
an US $ 13 equivalent even if the national price is lower
because of the additional costs that result from higher
shipping rates (from 'producer' to the 'distributor') and/or
tax rates etc."
- In '@{"The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation" link "LegalDefinitions" 0}' a paragraph
was added to enable a 'cover mounted' distribution:
" - If a 'producer' is a publisher who wants to mount the
distributed media onto the cover of a magazine or news
paper, the following exception rules may be applied, but
only for a period of time after the 'first producer protection
period':
- it is declared to be legal, that the 'assembler' offers
him the 'exclusive' distribution right for this form
of distribution in a certain domain and for a given
time period. (Other distribution channels in the same
domain or elsewhere are not touched by this 'exclusive
right' and may exist at the same time!)
- the 'retail price' of the complete product, including
the sharecompilation media, has to be lower than or
equal to US $13 (DM 20).
The 'first producer' may voluntary give a written declaration
of consent to make such a production possible during his
'exclusive production period'.
These exception were necessary since such a 'cover mounted'
distribution has to be planed a long time in advance and
it does not make sense to have two or more magazines with
the same disk on it, neither for the publishers nor for
the readers."
- I also added some information about first experiences with
this concept in the @{"'Additional
thoughts'" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0} section.
The biggest change was introduced by the dropping of the dreaded
'MSRP' and the subsequent updates to all the sections. The most
important changes are presented as paragraphs of the respective
sections below:
@{"'The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation." link "LegalDefinitions" 0}
"- For all people involved there is an upper limit for the
suggested retail price, that has to be included on the
cover of the product, of US $ 13 (DM 20) for a single
distribution media (CD-ROM, Streamer tape or equivalent -
no Floppy Disks allowed!). If the sharecompilation
consists of more than one of these pieces that are
distributed as a kind of 'set', then the overall 'suggested
retail price' for the 'set' may be US $ 7 (DM 10) higher for
each additional piece. Any lower price is naturally welcome
and it is the responsibility of the 'assembler' to uphold
the principle of low profit margins and economic production/
distribution. From revision 0.8 on, this has to be true for
any production volume, distribution form, media etc. (This
has proven to be reasonable with the production of the first
sharecompilation 'Meeting Pearls Volume I' managed by Angela
Schmidt - see also the section @{"'Additional
thoughts" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0}')."
@{"'The
details:
single
'authors'
side.'" link "DetailsAuthor" 0}
"The old identification phrase is still compatible with Rev. 0.8 and
higher, since the assembler has to verify the MSRP that you defined
for Rev. 0.7 against the 'suggested retail price' that has to be
clearly visible on the cover.
For details about the amounts that can be demanded for the
sharecompilation in which your work might be included see the
@{"'The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation.'" link "LegalDefinitions" 0} section."
@{"'The
details:
'producers'
side.'
" link "DetailsProducer" 0}
"The 'producer' has to provide the 'assembler' with reasonable
information to verify, that the production is economic and follows
the principle of low profit margins. (For example it can not be
viewed as an economic production, if the producer claims production
costs that only allow a suggested retail price of US $ 13 (DM 20)
for a production run of 100000 CD-ROMs.)"
All refererences of the original identification phrase were replaced by:
""Sharecompilation Rev. 0.8 as defined by Martin Kopp, Mannheim, Germany"
(See the @{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0} section for information on the
old identification phrase, that was introduced in Rev. 0.7 and
included a @{"'MSRP'" link "Glossary" 0} definition.)"
That's all so far for revision 0.8.
@endnode
@node "AdditionalThoughts" "SHARECOMPILATION - Additional thoughts."
@toc "TableOfContents"
@prev "WhatsNew"
@{b}@{u}Additional thoughts.@{ub}@{uu}
There are many of them, they will be presented in the future revisions.
But If you got some ideas of how to improve these definitions, this
document or whatever has to do with SHARECOMPILATION, feel free to
pass them to me and I will surely consider them for inclusion in the
next revision.
Till then I only want to give you some facts about the first CD-ROM
produced under the sharecompilation concept. It is named "Meeting
Pearls Volume I" (as I already mentioned in the text 8-)) and was
assembled by a group of people around Angela Schmidt, who managed
the CD. It was an instant success and climbed the Amiga CD-ROM
charts as a rocket and was playing well in the league of the likes
of 'FreshFish' and 'Aminet Share'. Considering, that the 'Meeting
Pearls' was a newcomer and therefore had no bonus of a popular,
well introduced name, this was amazing. Till now there were sold
more than 6500 pieces! Several other CD-ROM producers followed
the trend set by 'Meeting Pearls' (and 'Aminet Share', not produced
under this concept) and presented new CD-ROM titles in the range
of DM 20 (US$13). More than 1700 DM (more than US$ 1000) were
received as voluntary donations at this time and there are still
coming more of them. It proved to be critical to have a kind of
transfer form to an account included with the CD. Most of the
donations were received on such a form, that sadly wasn't included
in the complete distribution. This will be fixed for the next
CD-ROM "Meeting Pearls Volume 2" which once again will be a
sharecompilation as presented in this document. While the success
of the first volume was naturally due to the extremely high
quality of this CD (reviewed as 'one of the best CD-ROMs for the
Amiga' by several magazines) and the superb presentation of the
included goodies, the concept of the sharecompilation proved to
be a reliable base for the work of the 'assembler' and the
'producer'.
I hope that this will encourage others to follow this path.
(By the way, the CD-ROM 'Fresh Fonts' by Daniel Amor and Amiga
Library Services was produced under a similar concept and was also
called a sharecompilation. But, as the assembler explicitly states
in his 'ReadMe', does not follow the exact definitions as they are
defined in this document. This shows, on the other hand, the
importance to include the exact reference to this document if you
want to use it in a legal context.)
P.S.: Up to now I only received one (!) written comment to the
concept besides several generally positive reactions from people
I talked to and naturally the sugeestions of the people using
it which lend to this new revision. Obviously long boring texts
are not so popular these days (but please be aware of the fact
that you only have to read it while I had to sit down for hours
and hours keeping me awake writing all this stuff 8-)) - or maybe
everyone is perfectly happy with it. But no, this is not possible
since there is someone very unhappy with this concept:
I mentioned one written comment --- This single email was
obviously from a person that either hadn't read the text - or maybe
he didn't understood what he read - or otherwise was so self-centered
that he really could imagine someone writing all this stuff just
to get his name on the cover 'of every CD-ROM' ... He claimed to
define his own sort of compilation to control the contents of
certain distributions (and maybe the rest of the universe) and
explicitely defined that his programs shall not be contained
on any sharecompilation. Since I do not control every single
sharecompilation but only offer these rules for those willing
to follow them I will not manage a kind of 'black list'. The
author who wants to prohibit the distribution of his (or her)
program etc. on sharecompilations has to include this in the
disclaimer or pass the information on another path to the
assemblers. But who in the world would cancel a possible cheap
distribution channel with multi-thousand pieces spreading
capability only because it is legally neccessary to include
a reference to a defined person on the product (which I would
gladly live without!).
So much for the afterlaugh ...
Thank you, for your patience! @{"THE
END." quit}
@endnode
@node HeddleyAutoIndex "Index"
@remark Index auto-generated by Heddley
Index of database SHARECOMPILATION
Documents
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - 'Assemblers' details." link "DetailsAssembler"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - 'Authors' side." link "DetailsAuthor"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - 'Distributors' details." link "DetailsDistributor"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - 'Producers' details." link "DetailsProducer"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Additional thoughts." link "AdditionalThoughts"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Advantages." link "Advantages"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Analysis of the situation." link "Analysis"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Copyright." link "Copyright"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - English Guide." link "Main"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Example configurations." link "ExampleConfigurations"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Example disclaimer 'Assembler'." link "ExampleDisclaimerAssembler"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Example disclaimer 'Author'." link "ExampleDisclaimerAuthor"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Example documents." link "ExamplesGeneral"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Example license." link "ExampleLicense"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Example treaty 'Assembler'<->'Producer'." link "ExampleTreaty"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Glossary." link "Glossary"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - How to read this document." link "HowToRead"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Legal definitions." link "LegalDefinitions"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Short introduction." link "ShortIntroduction"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Table of Contents." link "TableOfContents"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Title, Revision, Availability." link "TitleRevisionAvailability"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - What's new in this revision." link "WhatsNew"}
@{"SHARECOMPILATION - Where does it come from?" link "WhereDoesItComeFrom"}
Buttons
document'
section
hurried
readers.
" link "HowToRead" 0}
'What's
revision'
summary.
" link "WhatsNew" 0}
short
introduction
concept
sharecompilation.
" link "ShortIntroduction" 0}
Additional
thoughts.
" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0}
Copyright.
" link "Copyright" 0}
Example
configurations.
" link "ExampleConfigurations" 0}
Example
disclaimer
Share-/Free-/XXXware
'author'.
" link "ExampleDisclaimerAuthor" 0}
Example
disclaimer
Sharecompilation
'assembler'.
" link "ExampleDisclaimerAssembler" 0}
Example
disclaimers
" link "ExamplesGeneral" 0}
Example
license
included
compilation.
" link "ExampleLicense" 0}
Example
sharecompilation
treaty
'assembler'
'producer'.
" link "ExampleTreaty" 0}
Glossary.
" link "Glossary." 0}
document.
" link "HowToRead" 0}
Short
introduction:
sharecompilation
software?
" link "ShortIntroduction" 0}
analysis
situation.
" link "Analysis" 0}
copyright
statement
address
author.
" link "Copyright" 0}
details:
'assemblers'
side.
" link "DetailsAssembler" 0}
details:
'distributors'
side.
" link "DetailsDistributor" 0}
details:
'producers'
side.
" link "DetailsProducer" 0}
details:
single
'authors'
side.
" link "DetailsAuthor" 0}
detailed
table
contents.
" link "TableOfContents" 0}
title,
revision
availability
information.
" link "TitleRevisionAvailability" 0}
legal
definitions
sharecompilation.
" link "LegalDefinitions" 0}
Title,
Revision,
Availability.
" link "TitleRevisionAvailability" 0}
advantages
sharecompilation?
" link "Advantages" 0}
What's
revision?
" link "WhatsNew" 0}
Where
from?
" link "WhereDoesItComeFrom" 0}
@{"'Additional
thoughts" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0}
@{"'Additional
thoughts'" link "AdditionalThoughts" 0}
@{"'assemblers'" link "Glossary" 0}
@{"'author'" link "Glossary" 0}
@{"'distributors'" link "Glossary" 0}
@{"'MSRP'" link "Glossary" 0}
@{"'producers'" link "Glossary" 0}
@{"'The
analysis
situation.'" link "Analysis" 0}
@{"'The
details:
'assemblers'
side.'" link "DetailsAssembler" 0}
@{"'The
details:
'producers'
side.'
" link "DetailsProducer" 0}
@{"'The
details:
single
'authors'
side.'" link "DetailsAuthor" 0}
@{"'The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation." link "LegalDefinitions" 0}
@{"'The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation.'" link "LegalDefinitions" 0}
@{"'user'" link "Glossary" 0}
@{"'What's
revision'" link "WhatsNew" 0}
@{"example
disclaimers" link "ExamplesGeneral" 0}
@{"Example
disclaimers
etc" link "ExamplesGeneral" 0}
@{"Example
disclaimers
etc." link "ExamplesGeneral" 0}
@{"examples" link "ExampleLicense" 0}
@{"general
definitions" link "LegalDefinitions" 0}
@{"Glossary" link "Glossary" 0}
@{"MSRP" link "Glossary" 0}
@{"MSRP/MEVP" link "Glossary" 0}
@{"Short
introduction:
sharecompilation
software?" link "ShortIntroduction" 0}
@{"Table
contents" link "TableOfContents" 0}
@{"The
analysis
situation." link "Analysis" 0}
@{"The
concept
sharecompilation:" link "Advantages" 0}
@{"The
details:
'assemblers'
side." link "DetailsAssembler" 0}
@{"The
details:
'distributors'
side." link "DetailsDistributor" 0}
@{"The
details:
'producers'
side." link "DetailsProducer" 0}
@{"The
details:
single
'authors'
side." link "DetailsAuthor" 0}
@{"THE
END." quit}
@{"The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation" link "LegalDefinitions" 0}
@{"The
legal
definitions
sharecompilation." link "LegalDefinitions" 0}
@{"Title,
Revision,
Availability." link "TitleRevisionAvailability" 0}
@{"What
advantages
sharecompilation?" link "Advantages" 0}
@{"Where
from?" link "WhereDoesItComeFrom" 0}
@endnode
(.txt)
(.txt)