On Wed, 23 Apr 1997 13:39:32 +0100 Phil Bradley wrote:
> Brian Kelly <[log in to unmask]> writes
> >A strange copyright statment at the URL
> > http://clans.cla.co.uk/www/auths.html
> >has been brought to my attention.
> >
> >It states that readers are not authorised to:
> >
> > (a) Alter the material in any way.
> > (b) View or print the HTML source code.
> >
> >Statement (b) sounds very odd. I'd have thought no more about
it, but it
> >comes from The Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd - an
organisation which
> >sounds like it should know about copyright law.
> >
> >Any comments?
> Yes - the word 'barking' comes to mind immediately. I don't
particularly
> have a problem with their point (a), but as you say Brian, its
(b) which
> is odd. As far as I am aware, HTML is in the public domain, so
anyone
> can make use of it.
Oops Phil! HTML-the-language is in the public domain, but
material written in that language is subject to copyright.
I agree that the word 'barking' would seem very appropriate.
However, might their reasoning have been along the following
lines?
1) We are supplying copyright material for people to view by
means of a web browser.
2) That is the sole manner in which this material may be
used.
3) One of the uses to which HTML source could be put is as
an example for learning HTML coding. However, we represent
members who publish books on HTML coding. We must do nothing to
undermine their commercial interests by allowing our pages to be
used as a free learning resource.
4) Therefore we will bar activities which would permit this
use of the material.
The CLA do occupy a unique position in the publishing world.
They must be scrupulously careful to protect the interests of all
their members. Seen from that point of view their ban on viewing
or printing their HTML source code is strictly logical.
Peter.
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Peter W Duncanson E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Principal Analyst Fax: +44 (0) 1232 230592
Computing Services Phone: +44 (0) 1232 273410
The Queen's University Of Belfast or: +44 (0) 1232 335375
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