Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!bbn!apple!chuq
From: chuq@Apple.COM (Chuq Von Rospach)
Newsgroups: news.admin
Subject: Re: compilation copyright question
Keywords: poster's rights
Message-ID: <25733@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 13 Feb 89 17:37:21 GMT
References: <5982@leadsv.UUCP> <25545@apple.Apple.COM> <96@artsnet.UUCP> <413@hsfmsh.UUCP>
Organization: Apple Computer, AUX Developer Tech Support
Lines: 25

>The last time I talked to a lawyer regarding the (c) and (C) notation I was
>told that it was meaningless; it had no legal value whatsoever. Only the
>word Copyright or the circle-c had any legal meaning.  Has this changed?

I've heard of one case where the '(c)' was upheld. That case set no
precendent and is, last I heard, under appeal. In general, the '(c)' carries
no legal force and means nothing.

This is especially true on USENET where data flows internationally, so is
under the international agrements instead of the U.S. agreements. The only
terms with any legal standing are 'Copyright' and 'Copr.' [another note: 
using the troff equivalent for the c-in-a-circle isn't legally binding,
either, since it's not in the proper representative form.].

Be aware that even if the laws are liberalized in the U.S., if the product
is shipped internationally (like USENET messages are) then the stricter
international laws take effect instead -- so don't assume the existence of
implicit copyrights that the U.S. gives you.



Chuq Von Rospach/Editor,OtherRealms/Member SFWA                 chuq@apple.com

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