Re: SOFTDISK intervention!

[rubywand@swbell.net]

Edhel Iaur, Esq.(drsmooth@relex.com) writes ...

<<
On Wed, 26 Feb 1997 02:00:08 -0800, rubywand@swbell.net wrote:

>....
> 2. SoftDisk should pay for one-time publication rights only. The
>copyright would remain with the author. This will considerably reduce
>expenditures for new material and make the material easier to obtain.
>....
>

Wouldn't this kill the possibility of selling back issues?
>>

     Not necessarily. A back issue would be part of the "one-time 
publication" arrangement. The disk-zine would not, however, acquire 
the right to sell a one-time item separately, include it in any 
"best of" release, etc..

     A typical agreement could include assurances by the author that 
the game, utility, adventure walkthrough, etc. would not be made 
available anywhere else for a certain period following publication. 
After, say, 6 months, the author would be free to sell, give away, 
etc. his/her product in any manner he/she wishes.

     An emphasis on one-time publication does not, for example, 
prevent a later agreement to have a published item included in a 
disk-zine "new subscriber bonus" collection, etc. as shareware. 
There are many setups which might benefit both the disk-zine and 
author while holding publication costs in check.

     The main idea is that a disk-based magazine, like SoftDisk, 
needs to be constantly 'on the move' looking for new items of 
interest to subscribers. If it succeeds in satisfying subscribers, 
it is sufficient to have short-term control of individual items. 
Aside from rights to reproduce entire back issues, it does not need 
to collect long-term copyrights to piles of material.


     An area disk-zines have failed to mine efficiently is 
advertising. Subscribers do not want to be buried in advertising 
but, in general, they _like_ ads. Just scan through csa2 postings 
and count the number of requests for information on who sells 
such-n-such item.

     Ads are a definite plus. Aside from presenting wares of large, 
established vendors, they make it easier for new A2 shoestring 
operations to get a start. Since both the publication and 
advertisers benefit, it is surprising that current A2 disk and print 
'zines do not contain more advertising.