Theos-Talk Archives (April 2003 Message tt00055)

In a message dated 04/12/03 9:08:04 AM, bartl@sprynet.com writes:

>Etzion Becker wrote:
> > Dear Wry, I don't think that this is much of an issue, commenting
> > e-mails and sending them to another list. I made a search *wry
> > theos*, and you star in more than 400 locations, and anyone can use
> > it without your permission. e-mails sent to the public are like
> > billboards, they are on public domain. These folks didn't try to
> > violate your privacy. Best wishes, Etzion
>
> In a word: BULLSHIT.
>
> Emails carry an implied copyright by the writer. A forum carrying an 
>email has what is called a "compilation copyright", allowing them to 
>transmit that email to others on the list. But NOBODY has the right to
>take that email and transmit it elsewhere, unless the agreement they 
>made in joining the list says otherwise.
>
> Now, in practice, you are not likely to get sued for doing so. But 
>getting away with a crime doesn't make it any less of a crime.
>
> Bart Lidofsky

More Bullcrap.

There is no crime. In this case, it's like the pan calling the kettle black. 
Privacy is one thing, Public correspondence is another. It's not a question 
of law in these circumstances. Copyright laws are solely for the purpose of 
protecting an author or artist against commercial use of their intellectual 
properties (which have to be protected by legally filed and issued copyrights 
or patents). 

Therefore, any documents not written for the purpose of commercial sale, or 
marked "confidential" for a limited group, in the interests of trade or 
government secrecy, are exempt from any copyright laws or moral precepts. 

Slander in public correspondence, however, is quite another matter 
altogether. But that would have to be proven in a civil court of law. 
Therefore posting in a public domain is an automatic license to reproduce, or 
republish, regardless of the information contained. In this case that would 
apply to any letters written to me ot about me or about my friends. 

Thus, whatever people are involved in a correspondence or discussion that 
cuts across more than one public mail list forum, should be entitled (freedom 
of information) to see the public correspondence or information that concerns 
them. Cross posting in such cases is not even an ethical problem. Besides, 
when it comes to spiritual teachings or public debate, there are no rules. 
Even a personal order, or request to desist quoting someone, has no weight 
whatsoever. If one is telling the truth, and not slanderiing others, what's 
there to hide or be afraid of? Public access implies public domain, and may 
be reproduced, unless the material is legally copyrighted. 

PUBLIC NOTICE: 
FYI, all public letters, artworks, or other information that refers to me 
personally or my work, written by me or anyone else, may appear in the book I 
am compiling, and may be republished in any public forum, or copied for non 
commercial use by anyone -- without need of permission by me or whoever I 
quote. In fact, I would consider it a favor -- especially if such material 
showed up in all 400 of those "wry-theos" Internet locations -- according to 
Etzion. (Although, I doubt if it's more than 4 or 5 in the case of this "WRY" 
person he addressed. :-) BTW, Theosophists who understand word symbology 
might find it interesting to look up the definitions of the word "wry" 
(referring to personal identity) in the American Heritage dictionary. </:-)>

LHM 

In a message dated 04/12/03 9:08:04 AM, bartl@sprynet.com writes: