mernst@theory.lcs.mit.edu (Michael Ernst) (01/29/91)
I've recently produced a transcript and videotape from a colloquium on intellectual property in computing held at MIT last fall, and I'd like to distribute them as widely as possible. For instance, I'd like to contact user groups and companies that could show the video at meetings or seminars. I was pointed to this newsgroup as a source of leads; can anyone suggest where I could get a list of such people? I'm also eager to hear suggestions regarding other forums where I could make this announcement or other audiences that might be interested. The announcement -- which will probably interest anyone concerned about the future of computing -- follows. Thanks, -Michael Ernst mernst@theory.lcs.mit.edu =========================================================================== Transcript and videotape available for Intellectual Property in Computing: (How) Should Software Be Protected? On October 30, 1990, MIT hosted a panel discussion on intellectual property protection for software. The colloquium focussed not on how existing law should be interpreted but on what the law ought to be, what kind of software industry we want or need, and what kind of laws would bring that about. The lively discussion lasted about two hours, including questions and comments from the audience. The panelists were Frank Ingari (Lotus), Mitchell Kapor (On Technology), John Landry (Agility Systems), and Tom Lemberg (Lotus); Randall Davis (MIT) acted as moderator. Transcripts and videotapes of this colloquium are now available. The transcript and the original press release are available via anonymous ftp from theory.lcs.mit.edu [18.52.0.92], directory /pub/mernst/colloq-ip, files transcript.[dvi,ps,tex,txt] and press-release.[tex,txt]. If you cannot ftp, send electronic mail requesting the files to mernst@theory.lcs.mit.edu. If you have no access to electronic mail, hardcopy requests can be sent to the address below. We want to make copies of the tapes widely available, but have the funds for only a limited number of copies and do not want to deal with the difficulties of tracking down recalcitrant borrowers. Hence we have instituted the following approach to ensure the tapes are available for free, but will not disappear. Requests should be sent to the address below, and should contain: (a) a self-addressed videotape mailer with (US) postage adequate for two videotapes (in the continental US, $4.50 before Feb. 3), and (b) as collateral, a check for $50 made out to MIT AI Lab. We will send you the videotapes in your mailer. When you are done with the tape, send it back along with a self-addressed envelope, and we will return your check in that envelope. We do not want to cash the check; it is required to encourage return of the tapes and to replace any that are not returned. We expect that tapes will be returned within about two weeks. You may copy the tape and transcript as long as you do not do so for commercial gain and this restriction is maintained. User groups are encouraged to view the tape. Michael Ernst MIT Lab for Computer Science 545 Technology Square Room NE43-346 Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 253-1365 email: mernst@lcs.mit.edu [Please redistribute this message so that as many people as possible have an opportunity to read the transcript and see the tape.] --