WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

samizdat
    n 1: a system of clandestine printing and distribution of
         dissident or banned literature [syn: samizdat,
         underground press]

The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

samizdat
 /sahm?iz?daht/, n.

    [Russian, literally ?self publishing?] The process of disseminating
    documentation via underground channels. Originally referred to underground
    duplication and distribution of banned books in the Soviet Union; now
    refers by obvious extension to any less-than-official promulgation of
    textual material, esp. rare, obsolete, or never-formally-published computer
    documentation. Samizdat is obviously much easier when one has access to
    high-bandwidth networks and high-quality laser printers. Note that samizdat
    is properly used only with respect to documents which contain needed
    information (see also hacker ethic) but which are for some reason
    otherwise unavailable, but not in the context of documents which are
    available through normal channels, for which unauthorized duplication would
    be unethical copyright violation. See Lions Book for a historical
    example.


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

samizdat

    (Russian, literally "self publishing") The
   process of disseminating documentation via underground
   channels.  Originally referred to photocopy duplication and
   distribution of banned books in the former Soviet Union; now
   refers by obvious extension to any less-than-official
   promulgation of textual material, especially rare, obsolete,
   or never-formally-published computer documentation.  Samizdat
   is obviously much easier when one has access to
   high-bandwidth networks and high-quality laser printers.

   Strictly, "samizdat" only applies to distribution of needed
   documents that are otherwise unavailable, and not to
   duplication of material that is available for sale under
   copyright.

   See Lions Book for a historical example.

   See also: hacker ethic.

   [Jargon File]

   (2000-03-23)