18 Nov
1999
18 Nov
'99
9:11 a.m.
Maybe not public domain, but I don't think, for example, Commodore (or
whoever owns them now) would mind posting the schematics for the C64, or if
someone were to scan in the owners manual for a TI/99, or a VAX 11/750
technical manual. Otherwise, if a company goes belly-up, who owns the
copyright then? The disclaimer I'm looking to write acknologes all
copyrights, and would allow the holders to request that I take them down, as
long as they can proove that the copyright is still valid and that they own
it.
----- Original Message -----
From: Christian Fandt <cfandt(a)netsync.net>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 1999 5:41 PM
Subject: Re: Classic Hardware Documentation Project
<snip>
Public Domain? Not if there's any indication of a
copyright on them.
That disclaimer you plan to write will not cut it if there is a copyright
on the documents. Very few documents could be considered PD unless they
did
not have a specific copyright notice OR if there is a
general specific
release given by the copyright holder to PD OR the copyright holder gives
*you* permission to hang it out on your website for the public to see with
a notice stating the copyright holder still retains copyright. Recently
revised copyright laws make *everything* copyrighted nowadays.
US Government printed documentation is usually not copyrighted and
therefore PD, for example, that is if it's not classified or secret.
Military technical manuals on mil radios and mil electronic test equipment
are in this category. After all, the US *public* paid for writing,
preparing and printing them. I've got about nine shelf-feet of such
manuals
in my collection.
If you find Government printed computer manuals you should be out of
trouble. But what computers that we'd have in our collections would have
gov't. issue manuals?
Regards, Chris
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
URL: http://www.antiquewireless.org/