Legal/Permission Question

[Walter Bright]

Dan wrote:
> Also of interest is Linus Torvald's explanation of his writing of some code for the Linux kernel when he was challenged by SCO:
> 
> http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20031222174158852

Linus is right. It's stupid to try to lay claim to individual numbers, 
variable names, or obvious algorithms.

Certainly, there is no hard and fast line between that and wholesale 
copying. Use your best judgment and act in good faith, and you should be 
fine.