Re: question from Michael Doland

I have question to ask you. Several years ago a friend of mine wrote a number of books for the Italian Trade Commission (ICE) in Los Angeles which were published by ICE Rome. The books were to be distributed for free from ICE offices world-wide, and for this reason my friend accepted to do the work at a very reduced price. Several years later ICE decided to sell the books, but he received no royalties, which frankly he did not care about, since he thought that the "advertising" was sufficient. My friend never signed any agreement with ICE.

My friend has now decided that, in conjunction with home pages of the French American and Italian American Chambers of Commerce to create a "home page" for his company. The success of a home page is often measured by what you can give away for free (i.e. permit others to down-load without charge.) So he desires to place his publications on the home page. I know that in Italy, and Europe in general, the "diritti del autore" are much more extensive than they are here in the United States. I also know (or think I know) that in the United States the internet is not subject to the existing copyright laws regarding reproduction.

What's your reaction of whether he can reproduce his books for downloading.

Thanks.

Dr. Alberto Maria Gallotti       *   Phone  0039-6-333.80.95
IP consultant -  MCA   - LL.M.   *   Fax    0039-6-333.62.28
E-mail: esmeralda[_at_]eworld.com     *   Rome   114, Via Bevagna  
Fulbrighter  - U.C.L.A.          *   00191  Italy
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