RE: copyright of briefs

On 10/18/96, Carl Oppedahl <carl[_at_]oppedahl.com> said:
>
> Well, if we allow school textbooks to be protected by copyright, does
> this derogate the progress of knowledge? Of course not. One is still
> free to read the textbooks and to gain knowledge from them, and to pass
> along that knowledge to others. Does it restrict freedom of speech?
> Again, of course not. One is likewise free, after having read the
> textbooks, to give speeches passing along the knowledge to others.
>
> The same is true of legal briefs and court papers of all kinds. One is
> always free to stop by the courthouse and read them. One is also always
> free to stop by the courthouse and make a copy of them to take home to
> read in the privacy of one's home or office.

Not at all.

Textbooks must be sold to reward the author and encourage more. No encouragement from the sale of briefs is necessary to encourage their authorship. Indeed, the most energetic abjurations by the courts to shorten them seems to have no effect......

Regards,

John Lederer
<johnl[_at_]ibm.net> Received on Mon Oct 21 1996 - 03:36:06 GMT