If the module does turn out to be dead, you might want to
consider taking it over. Does anybody know how CPAN would first
establish that a module is unmaintained, then turn it over to a new maintainer?
-- Brian
Comment on Re: What to do when a module is no longer being maintained
The only thing stopping you from uploading a patched version of a module (last time I checked) is courtesy. That is, if you tried to upload a patched version of a module that is normally maintained by someone else, I don't think any automated system would prevent or even detect it. You'd have to get a PAUSE ID first, of course.