Re: The Internet Archive robot

Fred Douglis (douglis@research.att.com)
Fri, 13 Sep 1996 13:55:24 -0400


> With all the discussion regarding copyrights and the Internet
> Archive Robot, I thought I'd ask the question (in case it hasn't
> been asked... perhaps I've missed it): Can this project be
> considered something akin to a library? ...

No, I don't see this. A library buys a book, and one user gets it at a time,
so they abide by the copyright. An on-line archive creates a copy something,
leaving others available to get the original or to get their copy. It's not
clear that they have the right to make the copy in the first place.

This is a case where the laws just haven't kept up with technology, and I hope
when they catch up (if ever), they are reasonable -- and don't try to apply
outmoded ideas of intellectual property to the modern age.

[Speaking just for myself, the usual disclaimers apply.]

-- 
Fred Douglis 		    MIME accepted	  douglis@research.att.com
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