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

More formally stated, it is: 

  COPYRIGHT 1999-2012 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.
"Intellect" should rightfully 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 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 brain).

Why doesn't this sound crazy to anyone else?

</RANT>

