> Of course, you have an implicit copyright unless you explicitly waive
> it. However, by posting to the net, you're basically giving people
> free license to copy the daylights out of your document.
No, I am not. My FAQ contains a license statement that specifically
says otherwise. Anyone who claims that I've given them permission to
copy and distribute my FAQ in any way they please either (1) is lying or
(2) hasn't bothered to read the license. Either way, their opinion has
no legal validity whatsoever.
> Not being a
> lawyer, I can't speak for the legality of trying to restrict this by
> writing your own custom license at the top of the file.
Then perhaps you should learn something about copyright law before you
presume to grant everyone "free license to copy" my document.
> Legalities aside, you shouldn't *want* to assert ownership over
> documents you post.
Why not? I believe I have some very good reasons for maintaining
control over how my FAQ is used, but you haven't bothered to ask me what
my reasons are. You seem to think you already know all about me and my
FAQ. So, go ahead: tell me why I *shouldn't* assert ownership.
> Think of all the people who post various software
> to the net. Nothing legal stops you from enhancing it and releasing a
> newer version, possibly under a different name.
You are mistaken. Unless the software is explicitly placed in the
public domain, or permission is explicitly granted, what you describe is
illegal.
> Now, if you feel the desire to take my FAQ, hack it into a book, and
> not give me any credit, that's plagarism. We've got laws to deal with
> that.
Which laws are those?
> If all you do is take a collection of FAQ's down to the local
> copy store and make 100 bound copies, then sell them as a course
> reader (where the store is likely marking up by more than just
> cost-of-materials), why should I care?
Because that is also plagiarism, if it's done without your permission.
> More eyes see my document. That's what matters to me.
Has it occurred to you that other authors may feel differently? If you
want to grant permission for people to copy and sell your FAQ, fine. You
have every right to do so. But stop trying to grant them permission to
copy and sell *my* FAQ. I respect your rights; why do you insist on
disregarding mine?
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