Subject: Re: Multitudes of Apple II games might now be public domain
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From: Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>
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Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 12:59:51 -0600
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mairsil@my-dejanews.com writes ...
> 
> In article <36C72E37.7E3D3774@ripco.com>,
>   Jonathan Schattke <wizwom@ripco.com> wrote:
> > Thanks for the law link.
> >
> > The law says 50 yrs after the author's death for the documentation.  It
> > is specifically added that the docs for computer programs are included.
> 
> Whoah! That is a *long* wait!
 ....

> 
> So, is there anyone out there willing to work around this loophole?
 ....

     Except, ... there is no loophole. Copyright law is alive and well
and being enforced.

     The reason legally constituted authorities do not move against free
public archives which maintain old commercial software is that the sites
are perfectly legal so long as they do not maintain commercial
copyrighted software against the express wishes of a copyright holder.


     Regarding a law to end copyrights on out-of-distribution software
after just two years-- it would, certainly, 'encourage' anyone who cares
about retaining ownership to make a product available-- i.e. keep it in
distribution.

     Meanwhile, absolute piles of software would land in the public
domain where the products could be repackaged with support materials and
take on a commercial 'second life'. For example, Joe Kohn could print up
docs, slap labels on boxes and sell all sorts of old games. Sites like
Asimov could offer 'Best of' collections for sale on CD. Programmers
could re-work and improve old games to take advantage of IIgs features
and sell them.

     As a copyright holder, the 2-year 'time-out' idea still strikes me
as somewhat radical; but, it would probably do a lot of good.



Rubywand