On 26/1/03 8:47 pm, "Charles Martin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> From: "Gerald E. Uhlan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Now - if it is something that's out of print, how would >> downloading/trading >> on the net be any different than purchasing a used copy at a flea >> market, if >> you can't buy it in stores? > > You bring up a fascinating point that really hasn't been touched on > much in the discussion/debate over copyright. You might be surprised to > hear it, but I agree with you that OOP material should probably be > exempted from the current draconian state of copyright law. Material continues to be subject to Copyright Law whether or not it is available for purchase at any given time. If I write some software, sell it, and then subsequently withdraw it from sale, that does not mean that the software miraculously becomes freeware and can be freely distributed (unless I specifically change its status). All CDs and Vinyl records have specific restrictions on unauthorised copying spelled out on both labels and sleeves. Withdrawal of CDs or LPs from sale does not change those restrictions. As far as the "used copy" argument is concerned, it is a red herring. You are perfectly entitled to buy physical copies second hand as this activity does not involve any illegal copying of the contents. If you cannot purchase a piece of music because it has been withdrawn from sale, and you cannot find a second-hand copy to purchase, then tough. Life's like that sometimes. Downloading that material as an MP3 is piracy. That's the current state of Copyright Law. -- Steve -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
