-----Original Message----- From: boost-bounces@lists.boost.org [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] On Behalf Of Jens Seidel Sent: 11 December 2007 07:43 To: boost@lists.boost.org Subject: Re: [boost] Beta Distribution for boost::random
On Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 08:19:26PM -0800, Jeremy Bruestle wrote:
Hello, I have implemented support for the beta distribution for boost::random. I was wondering who I should send it to for examination and possible acceptance into boost? The method is based on the paper "Generating Beta Variates with Nonintegral Shape Parameters" ( http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=359460.359482) by R. C. H. Cheng, which was the best performing fully general purpose method I could find. It
Mmh, the article contains:
General permission to make fair use in teaching or research of all or part of this material is granted to individual readers and to nonprofit libraries acting for them provided that A C M ' s copyright notice is given and that reference is made to the publication, to its date of issue, and to the fact that reprinting privileges were granted by permission of the Association for Computing Machinery.
Implementing an algorithm from the article is "fair use". But is Boost a nonprofit library? Consider that it can be used (also in parts) in commercial products!
FWIW, my opinion is that this is OK - no different from lots of similar use in Boost algorithms. The original can't be in C++, so it isn't a straight copy. Patents are another can of worms... But Boost has never claimed to take any responsibility for attack by 'patent trolls' - though authors and reviewers will avoid knowingly using stuff that carries a risk of patent problems. Paul --- Paul A Bristow Prizet Farmhouse, Kendal, Cumbria UK LA8 8AB +44 1539561830 & SMS, Mobile +44 7714 330204 & SMS pbristow@hetp.u-net.com