Michael Maranda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: To clarify, I do not argue for the elimination or reduction of copyright law and patents, but rather for a return to sensible limits on duration of a copyright and patent. I do not view this as weakening of copyright. I view this as essential to the public interest, and am confident that this will free up substantial access to intellectual property for others to build upon. Disseminate widely the bricks of knowledge so that many may build, and so that what they build they can build freely with, with confidence that they won't risk accidental patent infringements.
Not clear why this would weaken copyright? I think the argument is that these extensive durations provide incentive to invest in developing the intellectual or artistic content. I disagree. I think there are plenty of other motives to innovate, and plenty of room to make a profit, and under a copyright regime where the duration one can hold a copyright is in a more reasonable time frame.. Lets say 5-15 years... Maybe less for some software processes... We'll be reducing concentration of ownership of intellectual property and the means of generating further intellectual property. This is what it is really about, isn't it? Innovators will still make money, and will still have protection of rights to their property for specific periods. What duration is reasonable for what work or artistic product? Regards, MM _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wednesday Night ~ Greetings ALL Bridge Builders! Thank God I am not a lawyer. Writers who profit off their writing in order to make a living are going to be favor of Copyright Laws and the actual enforcement of those laws. We all have a right to make a living, but at who's cost? The ignorant? The unlettered? The student? If I find a news article, an analysis or something of educational value on the Internet and share it without monetary profit with a Yahoo Group without giving due credit kudos am I stealing it or simply sharing information? The concepts of 'intellectual' and 'property' seem mutually exclusive if what emanates from one's intellect becomes the exclusive property of the so-called intellectual posessor. As far as I am concern, whatever goes out into cyberspace is basically fair game. Get use to it and if you make a living from writing you may consider a 2nd supplementary income. Copyright has been described as the international trading system for works of the mind. Information contained in copyright works, can also be seen as an international trading system. When copyright and information are put together the two mix like oil and water. http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla60/60-nors.htm Copyright Law FAQ (4/6): International aspects Summary: This article contains frequently asked questions (FAQ) with answers relating to copyright law, particularly that of the United States. http://www.faqs.org/faqs/law/copyright/faq/part4/ Who ultimately controls the Internet? Who owns knowledge? Who copyrights wisdom? Who can close Pandora's box? Who wants to help bridge the high-tech digital divide no matter what the cost, expense or jeopardy? <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> TITLE 17 > CHAPTER 1 > § 107 § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use Release date: 2005-08-01 Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work; (3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and (4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode17/usc_sec_17_00000107----000-.html <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Help Build Bridges, Not Borders! Peter S. Lopez ~Field Coordinator Sacramento, California USA Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HumaneRightsAgenda/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/THIRD-WORLD-EARTH-NEWS/ http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/sacranative XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fight Back Against Amerikan Fascism! Peter S. Lopez~Field Coordinator Sacramento, Califas, USA http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HumaneRightsAgenda/ http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/sacranative --------------------------------- Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free. _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
