The Unlicense, Dave Edition
Considering my use of Git as a means to track revisions on my own writing, it's important to note that you should feel free to replace all instances of “software” in the statement below with “words,” “writing,” “expression,” etc.
While I appreciate tremendously the work and contribution of Arlo Bendiken in the form of The Unlicense, I would like to add that I see no need, personally, to make the refutation of Intellectual Property law regarding my own work into some profound ethical statement. As it stands, I have not to my knowledge been the victim of any sort of theft of any kind, and find the suggestion highly unlikely. If I am made aware of such a case, there is certainly a possibility that I may change my mind on this issue, so I suppose I should highlight that THESE TERMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, though I suspect I would be more flattered and/or amused than actually offended.
I would also like to annotate that my use of this license should not be regarded as a suggestion that anyone else follow my example, or that I “believe in” taking such action regarding one's work, generally. While I did indeed take the time to set up a repository of John Perry Barlow's “The Economy of Ideas” in a bunch of different document formats, I do not necessarily agree with all of what he argued, especially in the context of the world 27 years later. If you are particularly interested in my opinion on the matter for whatever reason, here is what I have to say to you:
The principled beginning of The Open Web was a great moment in history, but – like all historical principles – it is extremely important that we consider context and maintain an appropriate level of criticism when looking back on old manifestos written by old white guys. In general, try your best to be reasonable.
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This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
Anyone is free to copy, modify, publish, use, compile, sell, or
distribute this software, either in source code form or as a compiled
binary, for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial, and by any
means.
In jurisdictions that recognize copyright laws, the author or authors
of this software dedicate any and all copyright interest in the
software to the public domain. We make this dedication for the benefit
of the public at large and to the detriment of our heirs and
successors. We intend this dedication to be an overt act of
relinquishment in perpetuity of all present and future rights to this
software under copyright law.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR
OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE,
ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR
OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
For more information, please refer to https://unlicense.org