On Mon, 30 Oct 2000, Ann Onim wrote:
BTW: Can Uncle Sam slap a secrecy order on GPL/public domain code, or do you have to actually apply to the patent office to risk this happening?
He can slap that order on anything he likes, even if it is an unpublished (literally, not the copyright meaning) private work. This is a common method used by the fedz to avoid having to do a complete "site clearance" on certain new defense contractors (at least this was true in the late 80's - I have no reason to think it has changed). If work is expected to yeild "national secrets", but it is expected to do so without utilizing previously classified materials ("classified" being over "Sensitive"), the work is normally allowed to progress until such time as a "secret" work product is produced, at which time it is retroactively classified to it's appropriate level(s). These shenanigans work in the fedz favor because it costs real dollars to send out the men with the little plastic ID cards to do site surveys and personnel background checks. If the work is unsuccessful, they have not wasted the $$. If it comes to fruition, they impart a "temporary" site and personnel classification, classify the work product, and only then spend the necessary money and D.I.S. hours. -- Yours, J.A. Terranson sysadmin@mfn.org -- If Governments really want us to behave like civilized human beings, they should give serious consideration towards setting a better example: Ruling by force, rather than consensus; the unrestrained application of unjust laws (which the victim-populations were never allowed input on in the first place); the State policy of justice only for the rich and elected; the intentional abuse and occassionally destruction of entire populations merely to distract an already apathetic and numb electorate... This type of demogoguery must surely wipe out the fascist United States as surely as it wiped out the fascist Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The views expressed here are mine, and NOT those of my employers, associates, or others. Besides, if it *were* the opinion of all of those people, I doubt there would be a problem to bitch about in the first place... --------------------------------------------------------------------