mh_copyright

Update the year (range) to include the current year for the specified files

$ mh_copyright --primary-entity="[entity]" --update-year [path/to/file_or_directory1.m path/to/file_or_director2.m ...]

$ mh_copyright --primary-entity="[entity]" --update-year

mh_copyright [-file file] [-version] [-help]

-file file
    Specifies the pathname to the file containing the copyright or disclaimer text to be inserted into the message.

-version
    Displays the version number of the mh_copyright utility and exits.

-help
    Prints a brief usage message detailing the command's syntax and options, then exits.

mh_copyright is a specialized utility within the MH (Message Handling) email system. Its primary function is to automatically insert a predefined copyright or disclaimer notice into messages, typically before they are sent. The command reads the content of this notice from a specified file, allowing for centralized management of legal or organizational text.

It is commonly configured to run as a message filter within the MH message sending pipeline, for instance, invoked by the send or post commands. This ensures consistent application of the notice to all outgoing correspondence, fulfilling compliance requirements and maintaining uniform messaging standards within the MH environment.

While mh_copyright isn't usually invoked directly by users, its role is crucial in maintaining a consistent and legally compliant email communication stream for MH users. It leverages the modular design of MH, where various utilities process messages in a pipeline fashion.

This command is tightly integrated with and primarily relevant to the MH (Message Handling) email system, which is less common in modern desktop environments.

The specified copyright file must exist and be readable by the user. Improper configuration or an inaccessible file will prevent the notice from being inserted.

Its functionality is limited to appending text; it does not handle complex message body modifications or advanced content rendering.

mh_copyright is rarely invoked directly by users. Instead, it is typically configured as a component within the MH message processing pipeline, often via the send or post commands' profiles. This automation ensures that all outgoing messages automatically pass through mh_copyright, guaranteeing the consistent application of the notice without manual user intervention for each email.

The file specified by the -file option is expected to contain plain text. mh_copyright will append this text to the message, often after a separator, to form the final message body. Users should ensure the content is formatted correctly within the file for optimal appearance in the outgoing email.

The mh_copyright command is an integral part of the MH (Message Handling) system, which originated at The RAND Corporation in the late 1970s. MH was revolutionary for its time, providing a modular, command-line interface for email management, contrasting with monolithic mail user agents.

Developed within this pipeline-oriented philosophy, mh_copyright provided a simple yet effective mechanism for organizations to enforce standardized legal or proprietary notices on outgoing communications. While its direct usage has waned with the shift to more modern email clients and protocols, it represents a foundational approach to automated content modification in early Unix email systems.

mh(1), send(1), post(1), mhn(1)