Is inherited class a derivative work?

[Chris Gray]

Michael Beck wrote:

> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:  Rob Myers
> > Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 09:14
>
> > > If I write a class which extends java.util.Dictionary, then whose
> > > implementation
> > > of java.util.Dictionary am I adapting:
> >
> > No-one's.
> > Is the original work changed? No.
> > Is the original work copied&pasted? No.
> > Is the original work translated to produce the new work? No.
> > Does the new work rely heavily on the original FOR ITS CONTENT? No.
>
> If Chris extended directly the java.util.Dictionary, and has overriden the
> abstract methods, then you are correct. However, if he extended any of the
> listed "implementations" of java.util.Dictionary, then he has created a
> "derivative work", because he has changed the "design blueprint" of the
> particular implementation.
>

Every implementation of the Java language contains the non-abstract class
java.util.Properties, which does in fact implement all the methods of
Dictionary.
So let us suppose that I create a class com.acunia.AcuniaProperties which
extends java.util.Properties, and that this is packaged together with some
other classes in a .jar file.  I then hand this over to our sales force, who
are
liable to use it in a customer demonstration.  I have no way of knowing
whether
they will demonstrate it running on our own VM (Wonka), IBM's J9, Kaffe (as a

component of Pocket Linux), HP's Chai, something licensed from Sun's pJava,
or something I've never even heard of.  Can it really be that by creating my
little class I have actually changed the design blueprints of products from
four different companies, without even knowing it?

Regards

Chris Gray
VM Architect, ACUNIA


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