Re: IEEE Copyright Form: any bypasses possible?

Re: http://cr.yp.to/writing/ieee.html


On 09/02/07, Constantine A. Murenin <[email protected]> wrote:
> I've had a paper accepted to IEEE ICNSC 2007, and they have the
> following IEEE Copyright Form, which they indicate all authors must
> complete:
>         http://www.ieee-icnsc07.org/copy_right_%20form.pdf


I've tried to read more into the form, and I've come across some
interesting points, which I think are fascinating.

First of all, the form starts with the following notice:

>>> To ensure uniformity of treatment among all contributors, other
forms may not be substituted for this form, nor may any wording of the
form be changed. This form is intended for original material submitted
to the IEEE and must accompany any such material in order to be
published by the IEEE.

But later the form has three signature lines.

The first one, code-named (1), is required for completion by everyone,
and essentially seems to transfer to the copyright to IEEE.

The second one, code-named (2), is for certification of US government
work, which is public domain. So IEEE does seem to accept public
domain papers from US government, although I guess that they still put
their own copyright marks on these papers in their prints, as everyone
is required to sign (1).

The third one, code-named (3), is for certification of British
government work, and IEEE seems to be leaving the copyright to the
British government in this case.

Now remember, the form starts with a claim that equal treatment of all
contributors is desired! How could this be seen as an equal treatment
if some contributors are allowed to keep their copyrights, some others
are allowed to provide public domain papers, and the rest have to
transfer their copyrights to IEEE or mock with the form?


As far as my paper goes, I am a Russian citizen, I wrote the paper
whilst being an exchange student in England, whereas my permanent
residence and home university is in the US, where I will complete the
final version of the paper. As it stands now, I think I will put the
public domain notice in my paper, sign (1), put the public domain
notice below my signature (1), cross out the titles and descriptions
preceding (2) except for the "the Work is not subject to U.S.
copyright protection" part, and then sign (2). I hope this sounds like
a more or less reasonable thing to do in this situation that everyone
is required to sign the form, but any suggestions are still very
welcome.


Cheers,
Constantine.