Re: web-publishing & copyright...

Perhaps my situation has some relevance.

I've been recording early harpsichord music for the net for some years now, in Canada according to Canadian copyright rules (no registration).

A creep in the USA has downloaded most of my files, erased the copyright notice in them (it is in the MIDI file field defined for that purpose, in the manner defined), rubber-banded the contents, and has not only reposted them as his own work, but has apparently registered the whole lot according to USA law.

I have zero practical remedy except to use a search engine occasionally to search for his files, to explain the situation to the site manager, and to ask that they be removed. At least half the time, the creep is notified, a screaming match with the creep ensues, and the site manager takes us both off the site.

I'm told that if I go to the USA and sue, he will win because of his registration. If he were to turn up here in Canada, all I'd have to do is to haul a harpsichord into the courtroom and I'd win. But, even then, I'd lose my life savings in legal fees because I'd never be able to collect anything across the border.

I've got over a thousand thank you notes from people who appreciate my recordings, and a dozen pupils from one on a farm in the middle of Texas to one in Siberia. But, I've also got the creep.

Take your pick.

John Sankey
Harpsichordist to the Internet
http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~bf250/harpsichord.html <bf250[_at_]freenet.carleton.ca> Received on Wed Mar 18 1998 - 00:31:37 GMT