public domain v free (was: 8" floppy project

Yes, "public domain" (relinquishment of copyright ownership) is free. But free is not necessarily public domain. There do exist some things that are copyrighted, but available to the public for free. Consider Richard Stallman. None of his stuff is public domain. He retains copyright on it so that he can make restrictions on it. Consider Shareware. Every shareware author who understands the laws retains copyright. One major reason is that there have been numerous cases of others hijacking the revenue stream! Sometimes it is a case where somebody makes enhancements, and then directs the donations/fees/payments to themselves - consider S.E.A v Phil Katz. Other times, there have been people who have done nothing more than change the splash screen to redirect the money. -- Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com