A few comments and a question:
- It was my understanding that because of Berne, only US citizens must
register their copyrights to get statutory damages (we can't require that
of other Berne signatories, but we can for ourselves). If this isn't
correct, where am I wrong?
- The idea that the government should purchase publications to add to the
LC is something that must be avoided "at all costs". If the LC must
purchase all acquisitions, then someone within the government will be
deciding WHICH publications to purchase, and which to NOT purchase. The
result will be that many non-mainstream publications will be absent from
the Library of Congress -- and this is the problem. I don't believe this
is just / really a problem of the cost to purchase acquisitions.
- Somehow I can't imagine that the concept of requiring deposits for
copyrights to be unconstitutional after so many years... Value is received
-- at least today, in being able to get statutory damages.
- Terry Carroll mentions his FAQ being infringed and not having registered
his copyright, and someone else mentioned to the effect that so many people
are being hurt by not registering. Although I've rarely registered my
copyrights, we all know that it's better to register and it doesn't cost
that much. Why is it that people don't register that often? I understand
why I don't register my copyright on each email posting I make, but for a
mass-distribution publication I surely would register.
---
Glenn Tenney
tenney[_at_]netcom.com Amateur radio: AA6ER
(415) 574-3420 Fax: (415) 574-0546
Received on Thu Jun 09 1994 - 07:43:51 GMT