[Fwd: Re: [Maxima] Reconsidering the GPL licensing of Maxima]

Richard Fateman  writes:
...
> Though what Bill did what to place a copyright on the files
> and then give it away (post it, free for anyone). Then later
> he added the GPL copying rules.

Did he ever say under what conditions he was giving away the previous
code?  Unless he did,  I don't think (legally) we have the right to do
whatever we want with it.  As far as I know, the only conditions he ever
stated was (later) the GPL.  I don't think we have anything else to go
on. 

> I agree,  But could a subsequent release "under GPL" affect
> an earlier release in the public domain?  

I don't think so, but I don't think he ever placed it explicitly in
the public domain.

Jay