Re: copyright expiration as a spur to creativity

On 18 Aug 1998, Daniel J. Schaeffer <daniel_schaeffer[_at_]kirkland.com> wrote:
>
> On 8/14/98, Michael A. Scarpitti <mscarpit[_at_]asnt.org> wrote:
> >
> > You seem to have a knack for catching the end of a trail of messages
> > and drawing incorrect conclusions. Let's say I want to buy (not
> > borrow) a book published in 1981 (Approaches to Translation by Peter
> > Newmark). Let's say I go to my friendly neighborhood college
> > bookstore and try to order it. Let's say I get back a notice saying
> > "out of print"? I go to Bibliofind on the network and try a search,
> > which comes up empty. Now, Mr. Henderson, you tell me: What the
> > hell am I supposed to do?
>
> Oh let's see...
>
> Contact the publisher? Contact the author? Scour the used bookstores?
> Call a book search service?
>
> The one thing you are *not* "supposed to do" -- take a copy out of
> the library and make a copy of it -- appears to be the one thing you
> want to do.

One has only so much time to haunt used bookshops (which I do) contact the author (I've done that) etc.

My point is, that I DON'T HAVE A LIFETIME TO WASTE GETTING THE DAMNED BOOK. I NEED IT NOW! How much is your time worth?

Again, if

1. the published is too stupid or lazy to make it MINIMALLY convenient for me to PURCHASE the book (which, as I have REPEATEDLY stated in this conversation, I wish to do) and
2. if I don't have all my life to look for it (not a first edition sort of thing!)

then the whole point of publishing the book with a copyright is lost. Nobody makes any money if:

1. I buy a used copy
2. I copy an ILL copy of the book.

Everybody loses

Michael A Scarpitti
Assistant Editor
Materials Evaluation
1711 Arlingate Lane
PO Box 28518
Columbus, Ohio 43228-0518
800 222-2768 Ext 207
614 274-6003 Ext 207
Fax 614 274-6899
<mscarpit[_at_]asnt.org> Received on Wed Aug 19 1998 - 03:03:50 GMT