"Gone With the Wind" heirs threaten Project Gutenberg

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "David H. Rothman" <davidrothman () pobox com>
Date: October 26, 2004 10:00:31 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: "Gone With the Wind" heirs threaten Project Gutenberg
Reply-To: davidrothman () pobox com

David, I badly want John Kerry to win, but it's a disgrace that he and
John Edwards, who's on the copyright-related Judiciary Committee, have
refused to speak out against the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act
despite my efforts and many others' to get them to take a stand. Could
the outrage below do the trick? I am, of course, pleased that Kerry may
be open to DMCA mitigation. - David Rothman

David Rothman | dr () teleread org | 703-370-6540
TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home



Gone With the Wind heirs threaten Project Gutenberg

Heirs of Margaret Mitchell have threatened the U.S.-based Project
Gutenberg and Project Gutenberg of Australia--charging infringement of
copyright.

The Stephens Mitchell Trusts wants Australian Gutenberg volunteers
either to remove Gone With the Wind from their servers or else take
steps to prevent downloads in countries where copyright law bans
unauthorized distribution of the 1936 classic.

Otherwise, a lawyer for the heirs says in email and a certified letter,
"we will take all appropriate steps to protect and enforce our clients'
rights."

Special interest law vs. American culture

Welcome to the world of the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act,
which corrupted U.S. copyright law at the request of the Hollywood
elite, other entertainment moguls and rich heirs. Over time, the term
extensions will cost society billions and harm valuable cultural
activities.

Had the special-interest legislation not been passed, cash-strapped
Gutenberg would not be facing this threat since the classic would be
legal to download in the States by now.

More at
http://www.teleread.org/blog/2004_10_24_archive.html#109883929044823777
 ... including the full text of the threatening letter sent to Gutenberg
people.



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