dave@mimsy.UUCP (03/25/87)
[1] I doubt Stargate (SIS) is either a broadcaster or a common
carrier. Probably a programmer. Just as HBO Marquis (a redistributor
of HBO) is a programmer, while MCA is the mds common carrier.
[2] Submissions to usenet may be the intellectual property of the
author, the company/organization for which the author works, the
company/org providing the facilities and equipment for
creation/transmission of the submission, or maybe even Usenix.
Nobody knows! (Almost everybody has an opinion)!
About 10 months ago, or so, I spent a lot of time and several
thousand dollars with my firms's retained attorneys (who
specialize in copyright law and software and information) trying
to determine just where usenet stands. I had a plan for redistributing
usenet material via a for-profit information provider. (This ticked
off a lot of people, though my goals weren't self-enriching). My
attorneys' opinion was then, as is now, that they would be happy
to take either side of a test! (Well, preferrably the side with
more money). (Actually, they don't really feel this money-grubbing;
but it got the point across).
[3] Related to [2], usenet may or may not be public domain material.
Again, nobody really knows.
[4] I'm still waiting for SIS to publish a statement of their
goals, policies, and practices. (Maybe I missed it)? I've just
read 58 submissions interpreting what SIS's goals and policies are
(..going to be).
[5] I am in favor of technology improving the quality of my
life. If UOM wants to subscribe to SIS to get news cheaper and
faster, great! However, I admit it, if the success of SIS ever
translates into the reduction of audience or participation in
usenet, I'll probably be annoyed.
--
Dave Stoffel (703) 790-5357
seismo!mimsy!dave
dave@Mimsy.umd.edu
Amber Research Group, Inc.