Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!telecom-request From: IZZYAS1@mvs.oac.ucla.edu (Andy Jacobson) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Supreme Court: White Pages Not Copyrightable Message-ID: Date: 9 Apr 91 21:04:00 GMT Article-I.D.: eecs.telecom11.278.3 Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Organization: TELECOM Digest Lines: 29 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 278, Message 3 of 11 It would appear to me that the LEC makes no money on the distribution of white pages, as they cost nothing to the local subscriber, and contain no paid advertising. To the contrary, the LEC apparently does so as a public service to the users of their service. Perhaps initially upon the introduction of charge for DA, the LEC might have argued before the PUC that the availability of white pages would keep directory service free for those not too lazy to use them. Aside from that, and the introductory information on service ordering, etc. I don't see the LEC having a whole lot of use for them. Certainly the availability of white pages cuts DA revenue somewhat, but I doubt that much regular traffic would be lost without the directory. I know some LEC's are very stingy with the distribution of the directory, perhaps to limit publication runs, or increase DA use. (Especially GTE!!) Although I would hate to see it happen, perhaps Pat's suggestion about LEC's stopping their white pages publication might be taken seriously by some LECs facing stiff competition in the yellow/white business. The various retreads would _have_ to buy the white tapes from the LEC, providing revenue there, and the directories would still be made available through those other publishers. Here in LA we are hit with I believe at least four different yellow pages ripoffs, one of which is PacBell including white pages, covering neighborhoods that aren't their own turf. I wonder if there is some regulation requiring the LEC to publish directories. For if not, I can see some LEC's dropping the white pages as soon as someone else shows up to take up the slack. Andy Jacobson or