8 Dec
2009
8 Dec
'09
1:44 p.m.
On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 04:44, Philip Pemberton <classiccmp at philpem.me.uk> wrote:
Probably the early-to-middle part of next year. At the
moment there are two
problems:
?- The software forms part of my final-year university project.
?- If I wanted to release the software (MFM Explorer), I'd need to get a
copyright release from the university. Problem is, they don't like giving
these out. AIUI, you need written approval from the Dean of School, and a
few of his underlings. Then the Legal office have to approve it.
Hi Phil,
while of course I can't be sure for your school, in Academia the
problem of copyright is only an issue if you plan to profit from your
work (that was done using school resources and directed/verified/etc
by school staff). If you release your work in an open manner it is
part of the academic disclosure and should be available to anyone who
asks.
Note that this doesn't mean "free", in either libre or beer.
Universities can charge fees for distributing copies of theses
although most don't (for electronic copies), and if you have a copy,
you can't redistribute it - just like a book. Any code can be a
(electronic) appendix to a thesis.
Here at McGill it has the effect (and possibly the intent) that a lot
of work by profs is released with the GPL or BSD licences. As long as
you don't rake in the money without the Uni getting a cut, they don't
care how you publish it.
Joe.
--
Joachim Thiemann :: http://www.tsp.ece.mcgill.ca/~jthiem