Re: [dvd-discuss] computers and networks 101

[Michael.A.Rolenz(at)aero.org]

The issue is not being against intellectual property  but that the 
intellectual property community has become more concerned with managing it 
rather than creating it. To have more to manage, they have lowered the 
standards for patents to the point that Starbucks can patent a cardboard 
sleeve for a coffee cup. On the copyright front, they have extended the 
term to a ridiculous length and added so much stuff that can get 
copyrighted that copyright is effectively dead as a means of promoting 
progress. As you point out, ultimately we the public foot the bill and get 
nothing in return now.  I also don't see the desireablity of turning the 
world into a technological totalitarian state with the intention of 
protecting Intellectual property. 

But Microsoft has a right to sell software just at much as GPL has to give 
it away. It's healthy competition. When you hear executives of Microsoft 
making public pronouncments that GPL is the worst thing for the software 
industry ever created, it's time to check for your wallet....




Noah silva <nsilva@atari-source.com>
Sent by: owner-dvd-discuss@eon.law.harvard.edu
10/23/01 07:44 PM
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        Subject:        Re: [dvd-discuss] computers and networks 101


> >Jack Valenti and the intellectual property community. OTOH....while 
> >congress is out of session, they are not passing more 

BTW...

I for one, am /not/ against intelectual property.  That's one reason I
don't love GPL, as it seems to be aimed not only towards supplying free
software, but towards preventing related commercial software. 

As a software developer, I do think my time and code is worth money.  If I
choose to give it away free, that's great, but I think it is something of
value that is given away.

I think that likewise, authors of books, movies, etc. (or whatever entity
owns the copyright) have a right to profit from their work. 

BUT....

The reason that I am on this list is that I want to see that the public
gets their rights too.  The way to stop piracy isn't by trampling my
rights.  I will copy my CD if I like to.  If they want to go after piracy,
they should leave me alone and go after the mass pirates.

 -- noah silva