Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Casino

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  • Russell Brown,

    Right on cue: a fascinating story about a fansite creating derivative works from stories in the public domain in NZ, but not in the US. Quite a mess, and it doesn't seem like anyone is well-served by it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Lyndon Hood,

    Also, Slashdot & others are busily misunderstanding Google's setllement with the author's guild over - I think - the book-search function.

    Not that I know what's going on.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I don't for a moment think it was actually deliberate

    Actually, for what it's worth, I agree. If Craig wanted to insult anyone I doubt he'd be so subtle about it. Not that there's anything wrong with that..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Indeed, subtle insults are not better insults. But curiously, they can sometimes be more insulting. I think it's the 'behind the hand'-ness of them.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Lyndon Hood,

    I case anyone missed:

    xkcd on the kindle

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    xkcd on the kindle

    That's pretty much how I've been using my PDA for the last 8 years. GPRS is totally useless until you find yourself abroad. Then it's really good for basic net functions, like reading e-mail, browsing wikis, , banking, limited web browsing, all sitting in a bar or cafe. At those times it doesn't hurt to also use it as an MP3 player and e-book reader, or for little movies, if I wasn't all e-booked and MP3ed out years ago. So Hitchhiker's Guide...

    I have to say, though, Public Address was not particularly PDA friendly. For some weird reason I could not get it to render 'squeezed', and instead I got it
    one
    word
    at
    a
    time.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole,

    Right on cue: a fascinating story about a fansite creating derivative works from stories in the public domain in NZ, but not in the US. Quite a mess, and it doesn't seem like anyone is well-served by it.

    From the CW article Russell linked: But under New Zealand copyright law, works are in the public domain 50 years after the year of the author's death, he says. Howard committed suicide in 1936, aged 30.


    And by my count, 70 years after his death would've been 2006. So the works are also public domain in the US. Someone needs to whip out the lawyer-gram and tell them to C&D with the C&D notices. I can't see Conan being of sufficient import to justify another retroactive term extension, but chequebook statutory drafting seems to be fairly readily available in the US.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Mark Harris,

    Nice point, but I suspect CPI is using trademark, rather than copyright, law. So the stories may be in the PD but the characters are trade marked, which is what I would have done when the movie was made in order to cash in on the spin-offs.

    However, I am only surmising...

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Tim Hannah,

    Assuming copyright on Conan was renewed, it'll be protected until 95 years after it was published (not 70 years after the death of author). That'd keep it protected till 2027. And the 95 years will probably be extended before Conan comes out of copyright, if previous history is anything to go by...

    See, for example, Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 228 posts Report

  • Mark Harris,

    good point

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Back OT ...

    SkyCity bets on rebrand to pull in the punters

    Non-gambling revenues are the only growth area. Bring on the dancing girls. Literally.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole,

    Interesting, Tim, thanks. I hadn't realised US copyright law was quite so fucking complicated. I knew it was bad, but that's ugly beyond my worst imaginings.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Simon Poole,

    I know I'm late to the topic and dragging it slightly OT again, but I wonder what T2S would make of, say, The Satanic Verses ?

    Since Dec 2008 • 161 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic,

    Matt P:

    Interesting, Tim, thanks. I hadn't realised US copyright law was quite so fucking complicated. I knew it was bad, but that's ugly beyond my worst imaginings.

    It comes as no surprise that the prime offender, the Sonny Bono Act, is nicknamed the "Mickey Mouse Protection Act' in the States. And all because public domain is perceived by Big Media as some kind of underground Soviet conspiracy.

    Russell:

    Non-gambling revenues are the only growth area. Bring on the dancing girls. Literally.

    Even Vegas recognised that fact to start with.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Conan is a modern art masterpiece. Nothing captures the idea of barbarity better than low production values and extremely bad acting.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Nothing captures the idea of barbarity better than low production values and extremely bad acting.

    I have a special place in my heart for Red Sonja, which I saw when my brother rented it once when I was about 13 or so.

    I suspect this would be totally ruined by ever watching it again, as I might pay attention to the acting.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • robbery,

    Islander - here's some points to consider writers based on what some other people have suggested.

    you shouldn't fight the free distribution of your work but use it to promote yourself and then come up with other ideas to bring in money.

    1 - why don't you get out on the road doing live performances of your books.
    2 - merchandise - T shirts, and souvenir teaspoons. a very lucrative market to sell while doing your 'gig's.

    3 - Don't be seen to object to people taking your stuff for free or protecting any income streams that you may already have set up. this will be painted as you attacking your audience. Why would you go out of your way to inconvenience people who are you fans and show it by grabbing your works however they can?. (free off the internet being the easiest and cheapest). Apparently it progress when its at your expense, don't fight it.

    4 - remember that because you create this stuff you owe society because you've unintentionally made something that it sees as culture, and culture doesn't belong to you. Be grateful for having the privileged of contributing and show that gratitude by keeping your mouth shut if you object to a low standard of living. No one likes a whiner.

    There were a few other pointers but those are the basics for you. Hope that helps. ;)

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • robbery,

    "points to consider for writers"

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • Sam F,

    Oh boy. Think I'll dial my chair back and settle in here for the afternoon's show.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Red Sonja: Barbarian chick who never puts out meets barbarian guy. Foreplay is extended slaughter. I saw it not so long ago, and still couldn't pay attention to the acting.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • robbery,

    the afternoon's show.

    :)
    got to go do a real job soon so won't be able to participate,

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • Sam F,

    Spoilsport!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report

  • robbery,

    Spoilsport!

    Well no one owes me a living so its only fair I get down to the local fast food joint and put in my hours like everyone else.

    new zealand • Since May 2007 • 1882 posts Report

  • David Slack,

    Oh boy. Think I'll dial my chair back and settle in here for the afternoon's show.

    Twenty bucks says this thread can overtake the other one.

    (I will not be actively participating, because I'll be working on the overhaul of the website that subsidises my 'writing'.)

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Twenty bucks says this thread can overtake the other one.

    The copyright thread? In what time frame? I'm up for your easy money.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

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