Re: BK MetaData License Problem?

jbradford
2002-10-06T12:05:03Z

> From: Ingo Molnar <mingo@elte.hu>
> Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 14:04:42 +0200 (CEST)
>
> It's not a big problem today because if you ask me then i'll tell you that
> it's GPL-ed - but what will be the situation be in years? Couldnt
> 'BitMover or any other operator of an Open Logging server' argue that the
> MetaData is owned by whoever created them, and is not covered by the GPL -
> and only 'BitMover or any other operator of an Open Logging server' has
> 'permission to republish the Metadata'.
>
> Anything you write is automatically copyrighted by you, even if you
> don't specifically state it as such.

In most countries nowadays, this is correct.

> That is my basic understanding of copyright law.
>
> BitMover et al. can't take your copyright powers away from you.

No, but since you own the copyright, you can give rights to the material to the operator of the Open Logging server.

Why don't we have a system whereby we automatically assign copyright to one person, (I.E. Linus), who can then assign us GPL rights in return, so that by submitting material to any server, we are not able to assign anything other than GPL rights to it's owner.

This is, I believe, although I could be wrong, the reason that the Free Software Foundation allows you to assign copyrights to them.

John.