[fc-uk-discuss] Public Domain is a Crime

[Rob Myers]

On 16 Dec 2005, at 21:30, Crosbie Fitch wrote:

> If you walk into Woolworths and buy a CD of "Great 78s from the 20s -
> remastered". Even if the original 78rpm recordings are public  
> domain, the CD
> is not. You would infringe copyright if you copied the CD. You have  
> to find
> one of those rare 78s and make your own copy.

I'm not sure how this is different from photographing a painting,  
which many lawyers are willing to claim would create a copyright. I  
strongly disagree with their opinion, but there hasn't been a test of  
this in a UK court.

I'd love to see a UK Bridgeman vs. Corel.

> This is why the public domain is crap in terms of securing stuff  
> for the
> future. Whilst copyright remains, you have to use CC-SA or GPL if  
> you want
> to ensure people can always have free access to work intended for  
> the PD.

I agree. I also have no time for BSD licensing, which is basically a  
figleaf on PD.

- Rob.