lauren@rand-unix.ARPA (03/23/85)
Of course, while I didn't mention it in my last message, the A -> B -> C chain extends down through other levels (e.g. D, E ...) All these additional levels have the same status as "C". To put it another way, the most important link is between A and B, where A (the owner of the info) disclosed information to B under license. If B gives the information to C and it gets to D, E and so on, the information will still probably be considered to be protected, since A was not at fault in the disclosure process. Admittedly, this all gets very complex and can result in exceedingly lengthy and expensive court cases, injunctions, and things that go bump in the night. --Lauren-- This message is a followup to a message I posted with the subject "third parties". If you get this one first, please wait for the other one to arrive--then this one will make more sense. BRL happily sends out messages in orders other than how they are received. --LW--
dave@circadia.UUCP (David Messer) (03/27/85)
> To put it another way, the most important link is between A and B, > where A (the owner of the info) disclosed information to B under license. > If B gives the information to C and it gets to D, E and so on, the > information will still probably be considered to be protected, since > A was not at fault in the disclosure process. As I understand it, A must also be diligent in prosecuting B for the violation; otherwise the information might be considered public-domain (if it is generally known in the field). I suspect that at the very least, A would have to prove the path back to B in order to get any compensation. > Admittedly, this all gets very complex and can result in > exceedingly lengthy and expensive court cases, injunctions, > and things that go bump in the night. > > --Lauren-- Thats why lawyers make the laws the way they do... :-) ------- Note: I am not professionally qualified to have any opinion on this subject; I am not a lawyer, no one in my family is one, and I don't hang out with them. Use my opinions at your own risk. -- Dave Messer ...ihnp4!stolaf!umn-cs!circadia!dave