Copyright notice update policy
Hi, What is the policy of updating year in copyright notices? There are several pages ([1], [2], [3]) where copyright notice is explained, but without any notes on the year detail I found one thread [4] about copyright policy, but it discusses only copyrighting patches and fixes. I understand it may depend on local law in particular country, (i.e. it seems U.S. requires year [5]). However, without digging law backgrounds, I'd simply like to know what is Boost policy for the notice updates. For example, a file created in 2009 includes relevant copyright notice and in 2013 the file receives update. Is it required to update the copyright year to 2009-2013? [1] http://www.boost.org/users/license.html [2] http://www.boost.org/users/faq.html [3] http://www.boost.org/users/index.html [4] http://lists.boost.org/Archives/boost/2012/01/189315.php [5] http://www.contentious.com/2007/01/07/copyright-notice-is-the-year-really-ne... Best regards, -- Mateusz Loskot, http://mateusz.loskot.net
Mateusz Loskot wrote:
For example, a file created in 2009 includes relevant copyright notice and in 2013 the file receives update. Is it required to update the copyright year to 2009-2013?
The general rule is that a file that has been created in 2009, not touched in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and updated in 2013 by the same author, would have "2009, 2013" in the copyright notice; 2009-2013 indicates continuous development. I'm not sure what the official Boost policy is, though.
On 2 March 2013 18:05, Peter Dimov <lists@pdimov.com> wrote:
Mateusz Loskot wrote:
For example, a file created in 2009 includes relevant copyright notice and in 2013 the file receives update. Is it required to update the copyright year to 2009-2013?
The general rule is that a file that has been created in 2009, not touched in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and updated in 2013 by the same author, would have "2009, 2013" in the copyright notice; 2009-2013 indicates continuous development. I'm not sure what the official Boost policy is, though.
Peter, It's an interesting point. I didn't realise such time continuity matters for the same author. I think it would be a good idea to wrap up some guidelines for that. Best regards, -- Mateusz Loskot, http://mateusz.loskot.net
-----Original Message----- From: Boost [mailto:boost-bounces@lists.boost.org] On Behalf Of Peter Dimov Sent: Saturday, March 02, 2013 6:05 PM To: boost@lists.boost.org Subject: Re: [boost] Copyright notice update policy
Mateusz Loskot wrote:
For example, a file created in 2009 includes relevant copyright notice and in 2013 the file receives update. Is it required to update the copyright year to 2009-2013?
The general rule is that a file that has been created in 2009, not touched in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and updated in 2013 by the same author, would have "2009, 2013" in the copyright notice; 2009-2013 indicates continuous development. I'm not sure what the official Boost policy is, though.
I suspect that the effect of these for copyright may be pretty much the same, but for establishing a prior art date, the exact year version (if applicable) may be more effective? FWIW, I have used the 2010, 2011 and 2012 version on Boost.Math (though I doubt if there is anything patent-worthy in that - but after the rounded-phone-corners nonsense you never can tell what dotty things are claimed to be patentable). Paul --- Paul A. Bristow, Prizet Farmhouse, Kendal LA8 8AB UK +44 1539 561830 07714330204 pbristow@hetp.u-net.com
participants (3)
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Mateusz Loskot -
Paul A. Bristow -
Peter Dimov