Re: copyright expiration as a spur to creativity

On Fri, 11 Sep 1998, Dan L. Burk <burkdanl[_at_]shu.edu> wrote:
>
> On 09/10/98, Albert Henderson <noblestation[_at_]compuserve.com> wrote:
> >
> > By "misappropriation" I think you mean "theft."
>
> You may think that if you wish. I meant "misappropriation." They are
> not the same thing.

Yes they are. Webster's describes misappropriation as "theft."

Is there a more learned source?

> > What's the difference between protection from theft and the
> > exclusivity I described?
>
> There is no right to exclude another from using a trade secret.
> Only from misappropriating it.

There is the right not to publish it -- de facto the right to exclude. You cannot force the owner of a trade secret to publish it.

Albert Henderson, Editor, PUBLISHING RESEARCH QUARTERLY <70244.1532[_at_]compuserve.com> Received on Mon Sep 14 1998 - 15:09:06 GMT