what are orphan works?

From: "Robotech_Master" 
<snip>
I'm sort of on the fence about the whole thing: the settlement as
proposed has a number of serious flaws, but on the other hand at least
it's a step in the right direction in terms of dealing with orphaned
works. 
<snip>
-- 
Chris Meadows aka         | WWW: http://www.terrania.us      | Somebody
Robotech_Master           | ICQ: 5477383  AIM: RoboMastr     | help, I'm
[email protected] | Skype, LJ-Gizmo: Robotech_Master | trapped in
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Chris,

I've long been wanting to discuss seriously the idea of orphan works. Now the Settlement is in the long grass, for maybe a year, perhaps we can all detach from that.

I am genuinely puzzled at what exactly people do expect to find that is of value. I'm not asking for either justification of the general idea, nor of the view opposing that. I don't think I've seen a fistful of actual examples, or even genuine areas that are going to produce this 'great benefit'.

I would be content with a scheme centrally administered - in which determination of a work genuinely with no owner or rightsholder occurs, and with internation responsibility - so long as it is very transparent to all. 

I'm really looking for a nitty gritty [detail, if that is a UK-only euphemism] discussion of this if you, or anyone else, would like to join in.

Joseph

Joseph Harris  -  Debt Control Man
author: Control Your Debt Crisis on Your Own Terms
blog: http://debtcontrolman.wordpress.com
http://www.controlyourdebtcrisis.co.uk
debt dictionary: http://www.controlyourdebtcrisis.co.uk/debtwiki/


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