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Skriven 2005-01-31 03:04:17 av FidoNews Robot (2:2/2.0)
Ärende: FidoNews 22:05 [02/06]: Editorial
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                            EDITORIAL
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                          Orphan works


It seems there's some hope, that the infamous copyright issues, we
sometimes stumble over in our efforts to modernize FidoNet, can be
solved in a distant future. You can read the entire document at:

   http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2005/70fr3739.html


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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Copyright Office
Orphan Works

AGENCY: Copyright Office, Library of Congress

ACTION: Notice of inquiry

SUMMARY:

The Copyright Office seeks to examine the issues raised by "orphan
works", i.e., copyrighted works whose owners are difficult or even
impossible to locate. Concerns have been raised that the uncertainty
surrounding ownership of such works might needlessly discourage
subsequent creators and users from incorporating such works in new
creative efforts or making such works available to the public. This
notice requests written comments from all interested parties.
Specifically, the Office is seeking comments on whether there are
compelling concerns raised by orphan works that merit a legislative,
regulatory or other solution, and what type of solution could
effectively address these concerns without conflicting with the
legitimate interests of authors and right holders.

-------------------< snip >--------------------

Concerns have been raised, however, as to whether current copyright
law imposes inappropriate burdens on users, including subsequent
creators, of works for which the copyright owner cannot be located
(hereinafter referred to as "orphan"' works). The issue is whether
orphan works are being needlessly removed from public access and their
dissemination inhibited. If no one claims the copyright in a work, it
appears likely that the public benefit of having access to the work
would outweigh whatever copyright interest there might be. Such
concerns were raised in connection with the adoption of the life plus
50 copyright term with the 1976 Act and the 20-year term extension
enacted with the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998.


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