jas@cadre.dsl.PITTSBURGH.EDU (Jeffrey A. Sullivan) (04/05/89)
This is a copy of a message I posted to rec.arts.movies: It relates to the posting of the inferred scripts of comedy skethces performed on television (in this case, Monty Python's Flying Circus) or on record. I am a writer, and such activities worry me more than some, perhaps. But I want to make it clear that this is illegal, and we shouldn't allow illegalities on USEnet if we can avoid them, right? And please, if someone who knows copyright law better than I (and they are legion) can fill me in on why this is legal, we can all sleep better at night. In article <3611@mva.cs.liv.ac.uk>, zanussi@mva.cs.liv.ac.uk writes: > I have the following sketches, guaranteed error-free (plus >noises-off, etc.), > all ready to post, and can post most others that have appeared on albums on > request :- I have talked about this before, but I think it bears repeating: It is my firm belief that you will be violating the copyright law to post these sketches. Please don't do it. If you must, then mail them privately to those who request them, as that way there is no public record of your activity. However, I must say that as a writer, in all seriousness (tip o' the hat to Bobby Bitman), this is a bad idea. Someone makes a living on those copyrights, and your publication of the sketches is trampling on that like yesterday's Venezuelan Beaver Cheese. Now, before anyone jumps down my throat as a Python hater, let me say that I am a big BIG fan... I just don't like to see copyrights infringed upon. If some day my own stuff is up on the tube or screen, I'd hate to see IT ripped off as well. I hope that this plea does not fall on deaf ears. -- ............................................................................... Jeffrey Sullivan DELPHI: JSULLIVAN | University of Pittsburgh jas@cadre.dsl., jasst3@unx.cis. {pittsburgh.edu} | Intelligent Systems Studies jasper@PittVMS.BITNET, {jasst3 | jasper}@cisunx.UUCP
wendyt@pyrps5 (Wendy Thrash) (04/07/89)
In article <2633@cadre.dsl.PITTSBURGH.EDU> jas@cadre.dsl.PITTSBURGH.EDU (Jeffrey A. Sullivan) writes: >Now, before anyone jumps down my throat as a Python hater, let me say >that I am a big BIG fan... I just don't like to see copyrights >infringed upon. Besides, just think of those millions of smelly budgies, flying out from the sewers, infringing your personal copyrights. (Ring, ring) Personal copyrights infringed, dial 555-2137. True Python fans don't need to see the damned sketches posted; we can't forget them even if we try.