Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!OHSTVMA.IRCC.OHIO-STATE.EDU!RAMO%AC.DAL.CA From: RAMO%AC.DAL.CA@OHSTVMA.IRCC.OHIO-STATE.EDU (Richard Outerbridge) Newsgroups: gnu.misc.discuss Subject: RE: Re: Copywrongs Message-ID: <8908190134.AA11681@cheops.cis.ohio-state.edu> Date: 19 Aug 89 00:56:00 GMT Sender: news@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu Reply-To: gnu-misc-discuss@cis.ohio-state.edu Organization: GNUs Not Usenet Lines: 34 This is a general comment directed at some of those who themselves commented on my "copywrongs" posting. My assertion is that the system, as it presently exists, is not in harmony with physical laws. My conclusion is that the system might benefit from some changes. Those who argue that, under the present system, the consequences of allowing the free copying of information are undesirable are only strengthening my case. It is not my intention to suggest that simply repealing copyright laws will be of any use. As a thought experiment I would suggest the following: If there were no copyright (and patent) laws. If for some reason we, as a society, were firm in our decision not to enact such laws. If we wanted to prevent the kinds of problems that such laws were created to prevent. What could we do instead? I would raise one more point, in parting. If you would all allow me the assumption that the vast majority of copyright infringements go unpunished (without going into the issue of deterrents), then don't the copyright laws as they now operate confer a very unfair (although perhaps minor) advantage to those who violate them? I apologize if my original posting was on the rough side. I was not entirely satisfied with my eloquence or irrefutibility, but I wanted to try and get something out. Hopefully, one of three things will happen: Someone else will take the basic idea and soup it up, or the feedback I get will help me identify my weak points so that I can improve it myself, or best of all Playboy magazine will offer to publish (and, of course, copyright) the original posting and make me a wealthy and famous author and secret supporter of all I profess to despise. Stay tuned.