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Re: public domain to GPL?


From: Rjack
Subject: Re: public domain to GPL?
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:51:52 -0500
User-agent: Thunderbird 2.0.0.16 (Windows/20080708)

Jerry wrote:
Is it possible to take a public domain program and modify it and put
the GPL on the modified version of the program?

Within the land of GNU all things are possible. He. He.

The serious answer is no to the preexisting public domain material
unless the modifications you contribute change the nature of the preexisting material such that it may be described as an original work of creative expression in its own right.

The keywords of a computer programming language are not subject to copyright but as you combine them in ever more complex structures, at some point they do become eligible for copyright. Identifying that
point is a real "in the eye of the beholder" problem.

Sincerely,
Rjack :)





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