Re: Reclassification - Wordperfect

["Arkain" <rwking@usa.nospam.net>]

"Frank Townsend" <ftownsen@iamdigex.net> wrote in message
news:g7nj5.67$BZ.786501@dca1-nnrp1.news.digex.net...
> The objection that many have is that the "reasonable" approach is so
> self-serving.

Agreed. That's why in prior posts I stated "reasonable" and "appropriate."
While the current copyright laws (with respect to software) are "reasonable"
to some, they are about appropriate as the remaining old Victorian laws.

> After all, there may be copyright holders of "abandoned software" that
have
> taken the reasonable approach that they do not need to sell, promote, or
> make their own existence known, for the copyright laws to protect their
> exclusive rights in their intellectual property.  That reasonable belief,
> is, in fact The Law.

IMHO, it is reasonable *only* because it is the law. If the laws were
constructed differently, then that belief would be unreasonable. I seek a
reasonability that exists without specific regard to the law. I.e. what is
reasonable for me remains reasonable whether or not the law supports it. I
would prefer that the law did support it, of course.

> This may be absolutist, but that is why laws are written:  to make bright
> lines regarding permissible and prohibited conduct.

True, but what happens when the lines are poorly laid? People begin to
disregard the law until it is either amended more appropriately, or they are
prosecuted for their actions. This is where the bulk of the A2 community is
now... stuck with an inappropriate law, disregarding it, and waiting for an
action one way or another while some of them attempt to legalize it
properly.

Even Q_C agreed for a moment that the laws should be more equitable. ;-)

Arkain