UMich's argument may have merit, but at this point in time, what they've done does not have the force of law behind it.
Just personally, I don't want to have a "precedent" for stealing my stuff out there, and letting UMich get away with this action, without at least a discussion (a lawsuit of this sort being a discussion) if whether what they've done is perfectly OK or stealing, or Something Else, is only opening the door to let others do the same.
UMich says that it's too hard to find the copyright holders. Do we have a definition for "too hard" that will control a follow-on attempt by an entity, um, less honorable than UMich? Such a definition is needed and can come out of the discussion the AG is forcing.
Is there a uniform methodology for tracking down rights holders? There needs to be, and that can be hammered out in the discussion about to happen, too.
So, let the AG bring suit and UMich defend itself and let's see who is the more persuasive, and what good can be gleaned.
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mmmag
no subject
Date: 2011-09-13 08:37 pm (UTC)Just personally, I don't want to have a "precedent" for stealing my stuff out there, and letting UMich get away with this action, without at least a discussion (a lawsuit of this sort being a discussion) if whether what they've done is perfectly OK or stealing, or Something Else, is only opening the door to let others do the same.
UMich says that it's too hard to find the copyright holders. Do we have a definition for "too hard" that will control a follow-on attempt by an entity, um, less honorable than UMich? Such a definition is needed and can come out of the discussion the AG is forcing.
Is there a uniform methodology for tracking down rights holders? There needs to be, and that can be hammered out in the discussion about to happen, too.
So, let the AG bring suit and UMich defend itself and let's see who is the more persuasive, and what good can be gleaned.