Public Domain Python

[Pat McCann]

"Tom" <nospam at nospam.com> writes:

> By your definition, is C++ (my previous language) public domain?  Or does
> AT&T hold a copyright?

Ask yourself: What is C++?  If you're talking about the ideas that are
incorporated in gcc that allow it to compile a C++ program properly,
those ideas, because they are ideas which are not protected by patent
or trade secret law are in the public domain.  If you are talking about
the ISO C++ standard, that is an expression of similar ideas that is
probably copyrighted by ISO.  If you're talking about the AT&T's C++
compiler, that is another expression of similar ideas that is almost
certainly copyrighted by AT&T.

There might be a flaw in the above, since someone just said that one
couldn't legally independently create a Java compiler without Sun's
permission.  That's news to me.  I know you couldn't CALL it a Java
compiler because of the trademark, but I'm not aware of any reason
Sun can prevent you from implementing the language.  It's certainly
no trade secret nor subject of any patent that I'm aware of. Anyone
know?