Scoop
Lieutenant Junior Grade
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2002
- Messages
- 1,158
Re: Copyright??
Peter has it right. If you buy something, then you can use it and duplicate it for your own personal use. If you give it away, then it is a breach of copyright.<br /><br />This is a big issue right now because there are companies that are trying to limit fair use of software, video tapes, timeshifted tv, etc. <br /><br />The major ruling on fair use was the original lawsuit filed against the sony video recorder. That case cemented your right to fair use of a product you purchased. I believe it was upheld by the Supreme Court.<br /><br />I have distrubuted a scanned in copy of a 1957 Evinrude Owners manual. This may be called copyright infringment if they wanted to come after me. Most companies would not and would be glad that by using the manual, they may sell more parts etc. <br /><br />I would say that if someone copied a Clymer's manual and gave it to someone else, that would be against copyright, and would still not be prosecuted by Clymer's. If on the other hand, the whole manual was posted on the net, then I think they would pursue.<br /><br />It has been my experience that most companies would not immediately file a suit, but would send a registered cease and desist letter, Followed by a lawsuit or even a police raid if you do not cease.<br /><br />While I rarely break copyright, I have known people and companies that have receive cease and desist letters from companies like Microsoft.
Peter has it right. If you buy something, then you can use it and duplicate it for your own personal use. If you give it away, then it is a breach of copyright.<br /><br />This is a big issue right now because there are companies that are trying to limit fair use of software, video tapes, timeshifted tv, etc. <br /><br />The major ruling on fair use was the original lawsuit filed against the sony video recorder. That case cemented your right to fair use of a product you purchased. I believe it was upheld by the Supreme Court.<br /><br />I have distrubuted a scanned in copy of a 1957 Evinrude Owners manual. This may be called copyright infringment if they wanted to come after me. Most companies would not and would be glad that by using the manual, they may sell more parts etc. <br /><br />I would say that if someone copied a Clymer's manual and gave it to someone else, that would be against copyright, and would still not be prosecuted by Clymer's. If on the other hand, the whole manual was posted on the net, then I think they would pursue.<br /><br />It has been my experience that most companies would not immediately file a suit, but would send a registered cease and desist letter, Followed by a lawsuit or even a police raid if you do not cease.<br /><br />While I rarely break copyright, I have known people and companies that have receive cease and desist letters from companies like Microsoft.