Comments on: Video: Walk For Liberty Day 85 - Sued For Copyright Infringement?

By: Carol Ann Webb

Carol Ann Webb — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:09:33 +0000

Michelle’s doesn’t really ring a bell - and I don’t remember ribbon candy (but I’m not crazy about ribbon candy so I may not have noticed it). I remember the spectacular (and often huge) ways you could order ice cream as sundaes, and banana splits. They even had a sit-down menu - this wasn’t for takeout. It does ring a bell that the place I’m thinking of went out of business. Too bad.

By: Rick Saunders

Rick Saunders — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:31:18 +0000

Is is Michelle’s that also sold the ribbon candy, or a different place? I think they went out of business.

By: Carol Ann Webb

Carol Ann Webb — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:14:01 +0000

I like your explanation, Rick. So I still stand by my statement that intellectual property is as worth protecting as physical property.

Do you know the name of the ice cream place in Colorado Springs?

By: Rick Saunders

Rick Saunders — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:44:33 +0000

My defition of an “idea” is exactly what is listed in the dictionary when I just looked it up.
1. That which exists in the mind, potentially or actually, as a product of mental activity, such as thought or knowledge; a thought
2. An opinion, conviction or principle.
3. A plan, scheme, or method.
4. The gist of a specific action or situation
5. A notion; fancy

None of the above can be copyright. To be copyright that “idea” has be made into an original “work.”
Dictionary definition of “work”:
Something that has been done, made, or performed as a result of one’s occupation, effort or activity.

The closest any of the above might come to intellectual property would be #3 for acquiring a patent. From what I understand, you don’t have to submit an actual working model of something to get a patent, just a description of what it does, and how it works.

Copyright and patents are both intellectual property (like apples and oranges are both fruits) but to compare copyright and patents, their purposes, and what the requirements are for each (sorry for the cliché) is like comparing apples and oranges.

By: Carol Ann Webb

Carol Ann Webb — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:43:14 +0000

RIck, talk more about your statement that ideas can’t be copyrighted. I’m thinking a definition of “idea” needs to be agreed upon.

By: Rick Saunders

Rick Saunders — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:13:50 +0000

Ideas can’t be copyrighted and they are not owned. Copyright pertains to the creation of original works and the creator’s right to distribute (or not distribute) that work, or to sell those rights to someone else.

Also, Carol, once you publish your book with your name on it, it is copyright. You don’t have to register (if that’s the right word) it with the government, you don’t even have put the © on it. If you wanted to sue someone for copyright infringement you would have to register it, and your date of submission provides additional evidence of your time of copyright, and that you are not stealing it from the other person. Technically anything you write (as this note), any picture you take, any video you make (as these videos) are copyright the moment they are created. ©2008

By: Carol Ann Webb

Carol Ann Webb — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:44:24 +0000

Yummy looking banana split! Reminds me of a place in Colorado Springs (I can’t remember the name of it) where you could get marvelous, huge ice cream concoctions!

If I publish a book, without a copyright, what’s to prevent someone else from putting their own name on it and publishing it - perhaps to an even wider audience than I may have, thus making more money? I think intellectual property is as worth protecting as physical property.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:19:30 +0000

Impeccable logic, Will. Physical property trumps intellectual property.