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From: jvb@duke.UUCP (Jack V. Briner, Jr.)
Newsgroups: net.legal
Subject: copyright
Message-ID: <5861@duke.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-May-85 15:51:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: duke.5861
Posted: Wed May 15 15:51:12 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 19-May-85 00:27:25 EDT
Organization: Duke University
Lines: 26


	I have written a program for a company which carries their
copyright for which I am entitled royalties.  Unfortunately, the company
is almost a year behind in payments.  It now appears that the company is
going broke, and the services of a lawyer appear to be worthless.  

   (1)  Copyright. When the company declares bankruptcy who gets the copyright?  

   (2)  Settlement of claims.  I assume that all tangible equipment that 
I have in my possession will be part of the settlement of all persons having 
disputes with the company.  Or will I be lucky enough to say that possession
is mine?

   (3)  Incomplete work.  I am currently working on another project for the 
company (how stupid could I have been?).  Part of the work was done by 
salaried members of the company.  I, on the other hand, am paid only royalties 
once the company accepts the program at which time the program's copyright 
transfers to the company.  If the company goes broke before it accepts 
the copyright, I assume I can sell the program to someone else.  Am I right?

	Responses and comments greatly accepted by mail.  I will post a
summary if there is sufficient response.


       Jack Briner
       decvax!mcnc!duke!jvb