Re: The Seven Types Of Pirate

From: "Richard Fuller" 
>Joseph, 
> it would appear that the issue is even more confused than I was thinking. Or, that after reading your posts, I understand a few of the issues a bit more. But in your reply to my posts, you stated that "the copyright owner has total legal control of the method of issue of all and any copies of their own works (only their own works)." Now, how is that done? Can the author assign an attorney or form of 'watch dog' to keep tabs on his property? I don't see how he/she can do it otherwise.

It is probably true to say that the problem you spot has been painfuly addressed since the Queen Anne Act 300 years ago. Internationally there was piracy up to very recently. Some very prominennt countries continued that international piracy into the last century- late into it for a handful.

The Berne Convention, the work of Victor Hugo and other creators, qickly caught on and, withteh earlier Patents Convention, became IP i nthe last quarter of the C19. This was probably the most significant improvement in establishing the recognistion of the creator. Berne was quickly adonpted in western Europe, but other countries were laggards, including the US. Th United Nations set up WIPO [or it may have started earlier as an international conference] many decades ago, and that has been working on these points, and how the rights of creators can be protected.

Most significant for me is that the majority of people accept and work to copyright and don't try to breach it. The size of th problem i nthe digital age has taken on another  - huge - dimension. The problem here is that, although htose who pirate are small in number, the digital file gives them the power to do immense damage to the independence of the creator of original IP. That is why I always press people hard on the reasoning for any weakening in copyright. As you say it is very fragile; all to easy to break.

> When you throw in the point of languages, and foreign countries, it would seem even more difficult to have any control of their works. And even more expensive....On the face of it, it would seem to be an un-enforceable point of law. Pretty much the same as the 55 mph speed limit. Good law, bad law, any law, it would seem that it is a requirement that enforcement is dependent upon two factors, education of the public, and respect of law by citizens. 

That is right. And as you have probably noticed with a lot of questions about publishing details, The problems of regional rights and translations make for rich lawyers ;-). Ther have always been 'subsidiary rights' too. And these concern all the different formats and extensive extract that are possible. the digital revolution has multpied [not just added to] the number of those.

By the way,
> thanks for all the posts, you've been very enlightening for me, and I'm sure many other people as well.. Richard 


That's very kind of you Richard; thank you. And I am glad if I have helped understanding of the issues.

Joseph

Joseph Harris is Smile Poet
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