Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!ucsd!sdcsvax!ucsdhub!hp-sdd!hplabs!hpda!hpcuhb!hp-ses!hpcc01!hpwrce!howeird
From: howeird@hpwrce.HP.COM (Howard Stateman)
Newsgroups: comp.text.desktop
Subject: Re: Copyright Free or not?
Message-ID: <7650011@hpwrce.HP.COM>
Date: 12 Jun 89 16:50:54 GMT
References: <5829@microsoft.UUCP>
Organization: Ye Olde Salt Mines
Lines: 31

cosell@bbn.com (Bernie Cosell) writes:
>a lot of good stuff about copying from someone's original, and


>... and you should consult a lawyer before you start publishing
>your very own "Best of Dover Books" series.  Your statement about the
>practicalities are correct, of course, especially for PD things that are
>either hard to identify or commonly available.  But not all PD things are
>that way, and republishing a once-PD item takes *that* instance of that item
>*out* of the public domain.  Copying such works without authority is
>_ethically_ stealing, even though, as you argue, the practicalities are that
>you will almost never get caught.

Let's get back to the original question, which is, can I copy one of
the public domain reprints out of the Best of Dover book and use it in
my own book. I say yes, for two reasons:

1. The art work is in the public domain, so Dover doesn't own it
2. The Dover book was put together for the purpose of releasing
   this art to the public, and so the "industrial use" clause of
   the copyright law would protect publishers who want to further
   release this art to the public.


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