To reprise the recent discussion on copyrights I found a very good article that explains clearly what the problems are in the changes in laws pertaining to copyrights. Dr. Lawrence Lessig is a famous (or perhaps infamous) legal professor who brings a historical and legal perspective to the discussion. He identifies why the current shift in granting more and more control over the use of creative works to the copyright holder is not necessarily a good thing for the copyright holders. Even more significantly, he offers several useful suggestions. He even discusses the software and patents besides just films and songs.

"http://www.spectator.org/AmericanSpectatorArticles/Lessig/Control.htm":http://www.spectator.org/AmericanSpectatorArticles/Lessig/Control.htm

Regards,

Ralph Mackiewicz

SISCO, Inc.

 

The Houston ISA Section had a lawyer speak to us on this very topic (Employee / Employer Patent Rights, Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Contracts). What's really cool is that we have the slides and streaming audio (1 hours worth) ONLINE for FREE! Go to:
"http://www.isa.org/~houst/march_meeting.htm":http://www.isa.org/~houst/march_meeting.htm and you too can hear what he said!

Paul Gruhn, P.E., C.F.S.E.
Houston ISA Web Master

 

proposed Anti-Copy Bill
this article scared me
"http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,51274,00.html":http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,51274,00.html