http://www.hplex.org/

Linda

She actually has no problem with a book either, providing it falls within fair use. Whether the Lexicon book was within those guidelines or not was what the trial was about, and the judge made it clear that while most of the book was fine, there were some problem areas in the manuscript that was submitted to the court.

This was actually a simple question of law which needed clarification because it was undefined up to this point. Now that there is a more clear legal standard, we can all move forward with our fan activities knowing better where we stand.

Steve

But if, as she seems to have maintained, that this wasn’t about the money but about the theft of her work, then she should be just as upset about the free online Lexicon as she is about the print one. Plus, SVA was making money off her work through the online site. Sure, not a lot. But still making money off of a supposed theft of her work.

Now, if I sold a bootlegged copy of a HP book for a minuscule amount or even if I lost money selling bootlegged copies of Jo’s work, she should still be as upset about that as if I was making millions off of her work without her permission.

Not that I want to get you in trouble. But hopefully nobody from the WB legal department listens to your podcast.

I don’t see any problem with Jo making a distinction between a book and an online database. Theoretically if she owns all the rights she could be able to grant limited permission of use.

Just tried again & I got through by clicking on the link in the wikipedia article.

We’ll just have to wait & see what happens with the Lexicon. I don’t think the fact that Melissa Anelli owns the domain name means anything. I think there was an arrangement when Leaky & the Lexicon parted ways that Leaky would still own the name but the Lexicon would pay the hosting costs.

I was thinking along the same lines as Greg, too. That if the Lexicon in print infringes on Jo’s copyright, then the Lexicon online does exactly the same thing. It’s still not right to take someone else’s work, even if you don’t make any money off of it. I couldn’t print up copies of Jo’s work & give them out for free. That would still be copyright infringement.

So, if Jo & WB objected only to the Lexicon being printed & making money, they’re being disingenuous. If SVA was stealing Jo’s work & she was so upset about it, then she should’ve stopped the online Lexicon. She & WB shouldn’t really be allowed to have it both ways. That is to say, they shouldn’t get to decide what’s infringement & what isn’t, the law should. And the law, as I understand it, says you can’t take other people’s work even if you don’t make any money off of it.

Maybe you guys do need to get a copyright lawyer on the show or someone conversant with emerging media.