Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!att!cbnewsh!cab
From: cab@cbnewsh.ATT.COM (CAB)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: Nagel freak needs *.gifs!!!!!! Please e-mail...
Summary: Everybody doing it doesn't make it right.
Message-ID: <2685@cbnewsh.ATT.COM>
Date: 28 Jul 89 15:02:57 GMT
References: <710@unsvax.NEVADA.EDU> <840@mrsvr.UUCP> <5200@ficc.uu.net> <806@micropen>
Organization: United Parallel Lines, Inc.
Lines: 30

Respectfully Dave, copyrights are a means of maintaining the value
and ownership of creative property.  Creating anything, especially
something of significant value, takes a lot of effort.  If a work
someone else has created has value to you, and you want to own it,
it is only fair that you compensate that person, unless he or she
refuses to take your money or barter :-).  Copyright law merely formalizes
this contract, which continues to exist, even after the artist's death.

as Peter sez:
> In article <5200@ficc.uu.net>, peter@ficc.uu.net (Peter da Silva) writes:
> > Just because the guy is dead doesn't give you the right to violate his
> > copyright.

> As much as I respect others copyrights and intellectual property, I am 
> quite sure that these posters of flames are just a little to holier-than-thou.
> 
> Remember those cute line printer "posters" from the 70's?
> 
> My guess is few of us in our lives haven't obtained or re-created then image
> of copyright material.  And as long as it is for private use, not for resale
> or public display, it is permissable.

The only place you err in your statement is where you redefine the fair use
clause of copyright law.  It is generally not permissible to take someone's
work without compensation, even if it is for private use.
-- 
          -CAB-        
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