Tolerant of plagiary?

[cesczx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Chen Zhixing)]

Hello all,
   Here is an issue by the president of FOST to 'solve' the problem of
plagiary in the 3rd and the 4th FOST Cup.  It appears so weak in front of
the challenge against justice.  It is an extremely serious event in the
history of computer go.  I am afraid that the programmers and researchers on
computer go feel heartbroken.
   I have not got any copies of the tournament version of Silver Igo, as its
owner refused to exchange programs.  However, I have got sound confidences
that the sold version of Silver Igo is a plagiary from my Handtalk.  Someone
claimed that only the 3rd FOST Cup version of Silver Igo is nearly the same
as the sold version, while the 4th FOST Cup version is based on another sold
software named Family Igo.  They asked me to investigate the Family Igo.  I
also found sound confidences that Family Igo is also a plagiary from my
Handtalk.
   I will make my own home page as soon as possible, and then show the
confidences on it.  I hope the justice will be upholded eventually.

                                                Chen Zhixing
                                                February 18, 1999
   This letter seems not delivered to the members of the Mailing List.  I
have to send it again.
                                                Chen Zhixing
                                                Feb. 20, 1999



The following is the issue of Mr. Erikawa, the president of FOST.

February 17, 1999

About FOST :
        (Omitted by Chen Zhixing)

Suspicion of plagiary :

After the 4th FOST Cup World Open Computer Go Championship Tournament, 
suspicions of plagiary were raised against the program "HAMLET". Also, 
a request for an investigation of the EXE files of the program named 
"Silver Igo" was brought before the FOST Cup Tournament Board. 

These were serious accusations and the Board formed a Special
Investigative Committee to look into the facts.  The Committee 
consisted of specialists in Go games, computer software technology, 
and science & technology.  The Committee was dedicated to discovering 
all of the facts and making a fair and impartial recommendation to the 
Board.   

(1) HAMLET:
Upon completion of its investigation, the Committee concluded that it 
was within reason to consider HAMLET to be a plagiarism of HANDTALK 
and that as such it was in violation of the rules of participation 
for the tournament. With the findings of the Committee, FOST declared 
the participation of the program "HAMLET" at the 4th FOST Cup Tournament 
to be invalid and revoked its 2nd place position. The prize money and 
the Certificate for 2nd place were requested and received by FOST. 
FOST declared the 2nd place slot for the 4th FOST Cup Tournament to be 
null and void.

(2) Silver Igo:
The Committee also reported to the Board that due to its limited ability 
to enforce cooperation with the investigation, it was almost impossible 
to confirm the existing EXE File for Silver Igo as the same as that used 
in the 4th FOST Cup Tournament.  It reported that it was told by a 
representative for Silver Igo that the EXE File used by Silver Igo at 
the 3rd FOST Cup Tournament was no longer in existence and therefore 
unavailable for reference. At that point, the Committee halted its 
investigation of the program Silver Igo.  Due to a lack of information 
sufficient to either support or deny the suspicion of plagiary, the FOST 
Board has also concluded its investigation into Silver Igo.

(3) For the future tournament:
Through the activity of the FOST Board and the Special Investigative 
Committee in researching these issues, we have concluded that the FOST 
Cup Tournament does not have sufficiently clear regulations with respect 
to such problems as plagiary.  The FOST Board will revise its set of rules 
for participation in the tournament and will reveal these upon completion.

FOST will continue to maintain impartiality and integrity in the 
management of our Tournament.
Your continued support and cooperation are highly appreciated.



Sincerely



Yoichi Erikawa 
Chief Director, 
Foundation for Fusion of Science & Technology


FOST
1-4-24 Hiyoshi-honcho, Kouhoku, Yokohama, 223-0062 Japan
Tel. 81-45-562-5432  Fax. 81-45-562-6132