IP: Interesting compromise regarding ISP's and copyright

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 12:31:13 EDT
From: cpriest () juno com (Curt Priest)
To: Multiple recipients of list <roundtable () cni org>






Title:  ISPs and Copyright Producers Reach Content Agreement
Source: New York Times (CyberTimes)
<http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/04/cyber/articles/22copyright.html>
Author: Matt Richtel
Issue:  Internet Regulation
Description: As of this week, the U.S.  Senate Judiciary Committee 
will consider an agreement with Internet service providers where the
providers would not have to police their networks for subscribers
transmitting stolen goods, such as software, video, or music, but if 
the Internet companies learn of the abuse, they must stop it.  The
compromise breaks a two-year industry stalemate and marks a "potentially
pivotal" break with traditional copyright law and efforts to update the
rules for Cyberspace. 


   from Benton


P.S.  Before you go rushing to sign onto NYT's site -- check the
"fine print" -- by accepting their "free" service you are signing
away your "life's savings" by indemnifying and holding harmless the
NYT in any copyright infringement that may result from your actions,
regardless of how innocent.


Translated this means the New York Times can send you all their legal
bills regarding a suit, regardless of whether you are yet found to
be guilty of anything.


I would never "sign" such an agreement.  And I find it bizarre that
a company the size of the NYT's needs all us little people to 
indemnify them and pay their legal fees.  Whose got the deeper pockets?
It is simply the size and arrogance of the NYTs -- they are the
Microsoft of the publishing world.


Regards,


Dr. Curtiss Priest
<cpriest () juno com>




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