Re: What do I do?

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Rev. Mama Lani (lani@lava.net)
Thu, 15 May 1997 10:45:51 -1000 (HST)


On Thu, 15 May 1997, Steve Summit wrote:
>If, for whatever reason, you find yourself needing to retain a
>real lawyer, be sure to let us know; I know that I for one would
>instantly chip in at least US$10 for your expenses, since you
>shouldn't have to spend lots of your own real money to defend
>something you've created for love instead of money.

You go, Steve! Yes, I'd be willing to kick in a ten-bill as well. As a
librarian, copyright issues sit very close to my heart.

If Ace Cycles is, as Steve says, just small potatoes and not hardened
copyright pirates, then I suspect they put up your FAQ because:
1. They were lazy and they found useful information
2. Didn't ask you for permission because they got it "free off the
Internet."
3. They didn't want their audience to leave their web site to go
to Ohio-State's site.

What I would suggest in your actions, if they appear shocked that a real
live human being is threatening legal action, is to offer a "compromise"
of sorts. Tell them they can either put a link up to an rtfm archive site
(I prefer Kent Landfield's), or tell them you will write them a tailored
version for their web site for a nice fee. Of course if you do the latter,
make sure you continue to retain a copyright to your own FAQ lest they
then turn around and charge you with violating their copyright! [Famous
Amos of the chocolate-chip cookie fame sold his trademark to a company,
and now can not sell anything using his first name. He spent all his money
fighting the trademark lawsuit the company fired his way.]

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