Hi Simon, (01)
Thanks for taking an interest in this project. (02)
I'm currently volunteering some of my time on a project for Silicon
Valley's Computer History Museum. The goal is to locate
and preserve historically important software. The system that I am
helping to try to preserve is the NLS/Augment system, originally started
in the 1960s by Doug Engelbart (inventor of the mouse) at SRI. (03)
The system was developed over about a 25 year period. Due to various
transfers and acquisitions, the NLS system (as it was called at SRI) was
renamed to Augment and sold to Tymshare, later bought by McDonnell
Douglas, which was itself eventually bought by Boeing. Development on
the Augment system was stopped in the late 1980s by McDonnell Douglas
and as far as I know has not had any commercial value since then. It has
since been generally forgotten by pretty much everyone, except as a
subtext to a historically important demo presented by Engelbart in 1968. (04)
The Computer History Museum (CHM) has been working with Boeing to obtain
various rights (copyright primarily) to the NLS/Augment software and
documentation, for the purposes of preservation of this historically
important piece of software, for historians and future generations. In
doing the research for the purposes of transfer of any IP of NLS/Augment
to the CHM, Boeing believes that McDonnell Douglas may have possibly
transferred some rights for the NLS/Augment system as part of the sale
of a networking division of McDonnell Douglas to British Telecom (I
believe the division was named BT Tymnet and later BTNA?). However, it
is somewhat unclear, since I believe that "NLS" or "Augment" was not
listed in any inventory or assets listing of the transfer. (05)
The CHM is interested in pursuing a quitclaim from British Telecom that
would transfer any rights that BT might have on NLS and/or Augment (if
any) to the CHM, so that preservation work on this project can proceed.
Many of the people who worked on NLS or Augment over the years are still
alive and the CHM may also be able to obtain oral histories from these
individuals and also assistance from them in locating software and
documentation. We are hoping to move quickly on this project while there
is still time. (06)
One reason for renewed interest in NLS/Augment is that Doug Engelbart
recently received the Fellow Award from the Computer History Museum, and
he also turned 80 this year.
http://computerhistory.org/fellows2005/fellows.shtml (07)
If you need any additional background information about either the
NLS/Augment software itself, or about the current Computer History
Museum project itself, I would be happy to send you more information. (08)
I'm a software engineer so do not have the legal background myself, but
the CHM does have access to legal council for these kinds of matters. (09)
Simon, it would be really helpful if you could assist in helping this
project move forward. What steps does BT and the CHM need to take in
order to make progress in this area? (010)
Thanks for your help! (011)
Jonathan (012)
> _____________________________________________
> From: simon.garrett@bt.com [mailto:simon.garrett@bt.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 4:44 AM
> To: ian.foley@sri.com
> Cc: IMCEAMAILTO-jonathan+40cheyer+2Ebiz@ngm.bt.com
> Subject: FW: Computer History Museum: IP transfer (NLS/Augment)
>
> Ian,
>
> I'll be pleased to help you all I can. Can you give me any more information
> about what this is please? At present I haven't found anyone that knows
> what it is.
>
> Regards,
>
> Simon Garrett
> IPR Commercialisation Manager
> tel: +44 (0) 1473 645 731
> mobile: +44 (0) 7802 871 084
>
>
> ______________________________________________
> From: Lecky,NW,Nigel,CXP R
> Sent: 11 November 2005 15:20
> To: Garrett,SGE,Simon,CXP R
> Subject: FW: Computer History Museum: IP transfer
>
> Simon
> Can you have a look this odd one please.
> Thanks
> Nigel
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Deller,RL,Rachael,CXV R On Behalf Of Carr,MD,Mike,CXV R
> Sent: 11 November 2005 15:16
> To: Lecky,NW,Nigel,CXP R
> Subject: FW: Computer History Museum: IP transfer
>
>
> Hi Nigel
> Please can we ask you to pick this up for Mike.
>
> Many thanks
> Rachael
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ian Foley [mailto:ian.foley@sri.com]
> Sent: 10 November 2005 19:45
> To: Carr,MD,Mike,CXV R
> Cc: jonathan@cheyer.biz; 'Adam Cheyer'
> Subject: Computer History Museum: IP transfer
>
>
> Dear Mike,
>
> I was referred to you by Rob Hull, VP at BT Group Strategy & Development.
>
> The Computer History Museum in San Jose, California is interested in
> locating and preserving historically important software. One of their
> researchers, Jonathan Cheyer (whom I include in copy), is interested in
> preserving the NLS/Augment system, originally started in the 1960's by Doug
> Engelbart (inventor of the mouse).
>
> Ownership of this system/patent is not clearly distinguished between Boeing
> and BT. The Computer History Museum has already received verbal confirmation
> from Boeing and now would like to contact BT about transferring the rights.
>
> Please follow-up with Jonathan directly in future correspondence.
>
> All the best,
>
> Ian
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jonathan Cheyer [mailto:jonathan@cheyer.biz]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 7:20 AM
> To: Ian Foley
> Cc: Adam Cheyer; nls-legal@chm.cim3.net
> Subject: contacts at British Telecom
>
> Hi Ian,
>
> I spoke with Adam recently, and he mentioned your name as someone who
> has worked with British Telecom from time to time.
>
> I'm currently volunteering some of my time on a project for the Computer
> History Museum's Software Collection Committee. The goal is to locate
> and preserve historically important software. The system that I am
> helping to try to preserve is the NLS/Augment system, originally started
> in the 1960's by Doug Engelbart (inventor of the mouse) at SRI.
>
> The Computer History Museum is hoping to locate the copyright owner and
> request that the owner consider transferring the rights to the copyright
> for NLS/Augment to the Computer History Museum for preservation for
> future generations.
>
> It isn't completely clear who owns the copyright. However, we believe it
> is either Boeing or British Telecom.
>
> We have already gotten a verbal agreement from Boeing to transfer any
> ownership of NLS/Augment that they have (if they have it) to the CHM.
>
> We are hoping that British Telecom will follow Boeing's footsteps and do
> the same.
>
> Unfortunately, the CHM doesn't have any contacts at British Telecom to
> start this process. Adam mentioned that you have worked with people at
> British Telecom, as well as people from the company to which they
> outsource their legal work. I was wondering if you might consider giving
> us an introduction to any relevant people at BT. Also, do you have any
> suggestions for the best way to proceed?
>
> If you need any additional background information about either the
> NLS/Augment software itself, or about the current Computer History
> Museum project itself, I would be happy to send you more information.
>
> Thanks for all of your help!
>
> Jonathan Cheyer
>
> (013)
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