this post was submitted on 09 Nov 2023
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Science Memes

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abandonware empires (mander.xyz)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 15 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I would. Not only would I do so voluntarily, but I also support STRONG consumer protection laws that would force any product or software or copyright or patent into public domain the instant it’s been unavailable for sale for 3 or more years or has gone without update for 5 years.

Our public domain and consumer protections are pathetic, and should be vigorously bolstered and defended.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I don't think you've really thought this through.

If you force a company to continue support they will just give it a stupid price tag. "Sure we will continue to support this $250k microscope, if you would like us to write a windows 11 client for you that will cost $1m."

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

That sort of thing already happens in the enterprise world. If it gets maintained because a customer wants to pay for that entirely, it happens.

But if they abandon it, even unintentionally, then it needs to become public domain.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I think you missed my point.

I'm saying that you can't legislate that abandoned software must become public domain. If you asked a company whether it was abandoned they would just say yes it's still supported, with a completely impractical price tag for support.