Re: implementing reiserfs in C++ for a new OS

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> Markus Törnqvist wrote:
>>On Tue, Aug 10, 2004 at 12:51:26PM -0700, Hans Reiser wrote:
>>  
>>
>>>Yes, but it protects the expression not just in every literal word, but
>>>in the sense of it.  Look at the lawsuits over ripping off movie script
>>>writers.
>>>    
>>>
<snip>
>>  
>>
>>>Taking the essence of our expression, and transforming it into C++ and
>>>Indian, will not avoid infringement of our copyright.  Our documentation
>>>is as protected as  the source code, probably more so, because we 
>>>haven't GPL'd everything on the website.
>>>    
>>>
>>
>>I have nothing but respect for you, your team and your work, but this
>>is a bit wrong.
>>
>>Sure the documentation is copyrighted, but it's the actual documentation,
>>not the idea behind it, that is copyrighted.
>>  
>>
> There is an idea, and then there is an expression of an idea.  
> expression is not just the letters, or the words, it is somewhere 
> between the exact characters and the idea.

  I  do  not  believe  that copyright protects ideas, only the written
  texts, graphics, and music.

  Take  as  an  example a inventor. If he has an idea that he wants to
  protect he would need to patent it to protect it. Otherwise only his
  work  can be protected with copyright. I am not sure that the actual
  invention can be copyrighted either.

  In  this  case  with  Hans,  Namesys and reiserfs/reiser4 the actual
  written  code  and  documentation  etc  is covered by copyright. The
  ideas  behind  the filesystems are not. They would only be protected
  by patents.