query

From: Merilyn Burke (CIRC) <mburke[_at_]dudley.lib.usf.edu>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 1994 12:29:48 -0500 (EST)

I have a patron who asked about the following situation:

He is involved with a fiction writing group doing a novel on an electronic service (GENIE) - the group has been given "private" access- so only they can read/write in it. The patron is concerned about copyright as it applies to works of fiction produced electronically. Presumably, this work is only accessible to the group members so not available to the public, but what would happen if someone got into their novel?

I assume that since unpublished works are protected under 17 USC 302, which I tried to explain to him but he was concerned about the medium - not the message....but re-affirmation would be appreciated - and any other aspects and help would be appreciated.

Thanks, and unless anyone else is interested, please respond to me directly.

Thanks

Merilyn Burke        voice: 813-974-4561
Access Services        fax: 813-974-3016

Univ. of So. Fla.
Tampa, FL Received on Tue Mar 15 1994 - 17:53:09 GMT