Re: Another Modest Proposal: Pirating vs Archiving

[nathan@mixer.visi.com (Nathan Mates)]

In article <31FC1E91.38B3@concentric.net>,
Michael Dobropolski  <DobroDad@aol.com> wrote:

   [Tip: when following up, it's good style to quote only the
sections you want to respond to. The rest should be deleted.]

>I know you (Nathan) are aware of this (in Copyright-FAQ): While all
>information in this article is believed to be correct at the time of
>writing, this article is for educational purposes only and does ot
>purport to provide legal advice.  If you require legal advice, you
>should consult with a legal practitioner licensed to practice in your
>jurisdiction.

   Yes, but it's a darn good start for judging things. If some of the
arguments given ("Copyright has expired on XYZ") are demonstratably
contradicted by the FAQ, then it's likely that they'd be found wrong
in court also. I have no plans or desire to try and show that the
FAQ is wrong, but if you wish to, go ahead.

>All this copyright stuff was not given to Moses. There is room for
>plenty of discourse on these matters. Legal application changes from
>case to case. Your postings are opinions, no more, no less. You are
>not unconditionally right, right, right. Even the lawyers are not and
>don't pretend to be. If you are looking for the unchanging, the simple
>right-and-wrong, you won't find it in law.

   If you break the speed limit the day before it's increased, wil the
cops still pull you over? A good chance. A month before? Fairly
certain. A year? Most definitely. Will they write you a ticket even if
you claim to have a time machine and say that you were not breaking
int he laws of a the future? Heck yes. This boils down to the simple
fact: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOWING THE LAWS IN EFFECT AT THE TIME
AND PLACE OF THE CRIME, OR YOU WILL FACE THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

   Wishful thinking may lead you to believe that in 15 years, the
courts may may declare Asimov as it currently stands 100%
legal. Problem is, Asimov as it stands right now is not, and is
capable of being charged under the law.

Nathan Mates