Abstract
For years, rumors have circulated that the code for the original DOS operating system created by Microsoft for the IBM personal computer is actually copied from the CP/M operating system developed by Digital Research Incorporated. In this paper, scientifically tested and accepted forensic analysis mathematical techniques, step-by-step processes, and advanced software code comparison tools are used to compare early versions of the two code bases. The conclusion is reached that no copying of code takes place1.
Highlights
For purposes of better understanding, the introduction includes the historical background and the legal issues.1.1
Digital Research Inc. (DRI) attorney Gerry Davis claimed that forensic experts had proven that MS-DOS had been copied from CP/M but that in 1981 there was no way to go to court over copyright infringement and get a judgment [1]
The only conclusion is that QDOS and MS-DOS were not copied from CP/M
Summary
For purposes of better understanding, the introduction includes the historical background and the legal issues. After several hours of haggling over the NDA, the IBM executives got frustrated and left [1] [3]-[5] In another version of the story, Kildall and DRI employee Tom Rolander went off in the plane to deliver software to a customer and left the license negotiations with Dorothy who normally handled those matters [3]. DRI attorney Gerry Davis claimed that forensic experts had proven that MS-DOS had been copied from CP/M but that in 1981 there was no way to go to court over copyright infringement and get a judgment [1].
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