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ABUSE! 1.1 SHR-WARE.DOC
W H A T I S S H A R E W A R E ?
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Some Definitions:
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You've probably heard the terms "public domain", "freeware",
"shareware", and others like them. Your favorite BBS or disk vendor
probably has many programs described by one or more of these words.
There's a lot of confusion about and between these terms, but they
actually have specific meanings and implications. Once you understand
them, you will have a much easier time navigating the maze of programs
available to you, and understanding what your obligations are, or
aren't, with each type of program.
Let's start with some basic definitions.
"Public domain" has a very specific legal meaning. It means that the
creator of a work (in this case, a piece of software), who had legal
ownership of that work, has given up ownership and dedicated the work
"to the public domain". Once something is in the public domain,
anyone can use it in any way they choose, and the author has no
control over the use and cannot demand payment for it.
If you find a program which the author has explicitly put into the
public domain, you are free to use it however you see fit without
paying for the right to use it. But use care - due to the confusion
over the meaning of the words, programs are often described by others
as being "public domain" when, in fact, they are shareware or free,
copyrighted software. To be sure a program is public domain, you
should look for an explicit statement from the author to that effect.
"Copyrighted" is the opposite of public domain. A copyrighted program
is one where the author has asserted his or her legal right to control
the program's use and distribution by placing the legally required
copyright notices in the program and documentation. The law gives
copyright owners broad rights to restrict how their work is distri-
buted, and provides for penalties for those who violate these restric-
tions. When you find a program which is copyrighted, you must use it
in accordance with the copyright owner's restrictions on distribution
and payment. Usually, these are clearly stated in the program docu-
mentation.
Maintaining a copyright does not necessarily imply charging a fee, so
it is perfectly possible and legal to have copyrighted programs which
are distributed free of charge. The fact that a program is free,
however, does not mean it is in the public domain - though this is a
common confusion.
What is shareware? Page 1 of 2
ABUSE! 1.1 SHR-WARE.DOC
"Shareware" is copyrighted software which is distributed by authors
through bulletin boards, on-line services, disk vendors, and copies
passed among friends. It is commercial software which you are allowed
to try out before you pay for it. This makes shareware the ultimate
in money back guarantees.
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The Shareware Concept:
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Most money back guarantees work like this: you pay for the product and
then have some period of time to try it out and see whether or not you
like it. If you don't like it, or find it doesn't do what you need,
you return it (undamaged) and at some point - which might take months
- you get your money back. Some software companies won't even let you
try their product! In order to qualify for a refund, the diskette
envelope must have an unbroken seal. With these "licensing" agree-
ments, you only qualify for your money back if you haven't tried the
product. How absurd!
Shareware is very different. With shareware, you get to try it for a
limited time, without spending a penny. You are able to try it on
your own system(s), and in your own special work environment. If you
decide not to continue using it, you throw it away and forget all
about it. No paperwork, phone calls, or correspondence to waste your
valuable time. If you do continue using it, then - and only then - do
you pay for it.
Shareware is a distribution method, NOT a type of software. Shareware
is produced by accomplished programmers, just like retail software.
There is good shareware and bad shareware, just as there is good and
bad retail software. The primary difference between shareware and
retail software is that with shareware you know if it's good or bad
BEFORE you pay for it.
As a software user, you benefit because you get to try the software
and determine whether it meets your needs before you pay for it, and
authors benefit because they are able to get their products into your
hands without the hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses it
takes to launch a traditional retail software product. There are many
programs on the market today which would never have become available
without the shareware marketing method.
The shareware system and the continued availability of quality share-
ware products depend on your willingness to register and pay for the
shareware you use. It's the registration fees you pay that allow us
to support and continue to develop our products.
Please show your support for shareware by registering those programs
you actually use and by passing them on to others. Shareware is kept
alive by YOUR support!
What is shareware? Page 2 of 2