From chemistry-request@ccl.net Tue Mar 10 15:10:07 1992
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 92 10:43:13 -0800
From: ross@zeno.mmwb.ucsf.EDU (Bill Ross)
Subject: commercialization
To: chemistry@ccl.net
Status: R

I think that codes developed under govt funding should be made 
available for distribution/maintenance costs. I haven't devoted
much thought to the ideal legal permissions to grant. If subsequent
commercialization adds value, the precommercial version should
remain available on the same terms. This "nothing for anyone"
policy is the closest I can imagine to fair for myriad unsung 
contributors as well as being the appropriate consequence of
public funding (assigning credit is another side of the coin). 

Once a transition to commercial code has occurred, further 
deveopments transpire under known ground rules and participants 
can negotiate a slice of the pie. Hopefully funding agencies factor
in the degree of commercialization in allocating funds.

Bill Ross