Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!bellcore!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mandrill!gatech!uflorida!novavax!proxftl!rafael From: rafael@proxftl.UUCP (Rafael Mayer) Newsgroups: comp.misc Subject: Re: Copyrights (Was: piracy) Keywords: copy protection piracy Message-ID: <231@proxftl.UUCP> Date: 28 May 88 23:44:48 GMT References: <9160@cisunx.UUCP> <1801@uhccux.UUCP> <807@netxcom.UUCP> <589@amelia.nas.nasa.gov> Organization: Proximity Technology, Ft. Lauderdale Lines: 23 In article <589@amelia.nas.nasa.gov>, msf@amelia.nas.nasa.gov (Michael S. Fischbein) writes: > > However, I am worried about the effects of the Lotus and Apple lawsuits > on the small, innovative programmer. Doesn't the threat of hundreds of > thousands of dollars (or more) in legal bills tend to stifle development What worries me, is the general lack of understanding the courts in general (lawyers and judges) have for the mechanisms involved. They apply their understanding of current information storage and retrieval systems (paper, microfiche, microfilm, record imprints, magnetic recording, etc.) to cases involving `information age' storage and retrieval systems (RAM, ROM, Networks, E-Mail). In time of course, this will correct itself. `Information age' lawyers and judges will eventually become a majority in the judicial systems and this will set the stage for some intelligent court activity. Until then I am prepared to see a lot of `esoteric' decisions and conclusion come forth from lawyers, judges, and juries. Rafael Mayer UUCP: {ihnp4!codas,allegra}!novavax!proxftl!rafael Smooth ice For those who dance with expertise. Friedrich Is paradise Nietzsche