The BW Whois program is the work of Bill Weinman (hence the name). 

More formally stated, it is: 

   COPYRIGHT 1999-2003 William E. Weinman

That said, the following rights are granted: 

  This program is free software. You may modify and distribute it under 
  the same terms as perl itself. 

No other rights are granted. This program is not "public domain". 


<RANT>

Personally, I think the concept of intellectual property is a VERY bad 
idea. I believe that all "intellect" should be the shared property of 
all people. No, I am not a communist. I just think that the problems 
associated with intellectual property are way out of proportion with 
the benefits. 

Given the current situation, and the fact that my opinion is not shared 
by most people, let alone most "authors", let alone most politicians, I 
must protect "my" intellectual property from the greedy hands of those who 
would not only take it from me, but would then deny me access to that 
which I have created. 

Therefore I must include that silly notice (see above) on all my work. 
Even if I want to give it away for free. 

Also it has become necessary that when I do consulting work I must also 
include that little notice, AND I must have my clients sign an agreement 
(that I must pay a lawyer to write!) that prevents the "work for hire" 
clause of U.S. Copyright Law from granting all rights on my creative 
work to my clients, and thereby preventng me from using that very same 
knowledge with any other clients (as if it were possible for me to shut 
off part of my mind).

Why doesn't this sound crazy to anyone else? 

</RANT>