[mcbits]

I guess the question is what prevents those contributors from suing the licensee (or even Hwaci) in the country that doesn't recognize public domain?

I assume we'll never find out because contributors obviously don't intend to sue anyone if they release their code to the public domain, but it's strange that a company would be comfortable buying a possibly illegitimate license when they're uncomfortable with a public domain declaration.

[kijin]

I guess most companies that buy from Hwaci are more concerned about long-term support than about this public domain thingy, and "yes, we obtained a license" is just another box they need to check. $6K to check a box is pocket change to these companies anyway.

Besides, most countries in the developed world have some notion of giving away one's copyright (not moral rights, which can't be given away) so it might not be as much of a problem.