Re: Windows 2000 Source Code File

From: P.T. Breuer (ptb_at_oboe.it.uc3m.es)
Date: 02/19/04 

Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 20:26:26 +0100

John Hasler <john@dhh.gt.org> wrote:
> P.T. Breuer writes:
> > I am pointing out that the definition of copying needs clarification...
>
> It was clarified to the satisfaction of the law a long, long time ago.

Perhaps. Law is always subject to clarification.

> > I also proposed a method to avoid copying that uses the same technique
> > that the human brain uses to apparently escape the law when reading -
> > namely removing the traces of the copied material immediately after
> > perceiving it...
>
> Reading is simply _defined_ as not copying.

Then one has to ask "what is reading"? Can a blind person read? What if
they have to be read to? By a machine? Is the machine copying, or are
they reading?

I'd say that if I use a tool to enable me to read, then I am reading,
and the tool is not copying, whatever it does on a letter by letter
basis - it is merely acting as an extension of my eyes and brain. If it
were to retain a permament copy after I have read, using it, that would
be another matter. But I propose that it not do that.

> > I can also do it without any copying at all, even disk to memory, or
> > memory to memory, simply by asking the server to transmit a coded version
> > (a resume), and by getting the server to probe the disk instead of
> > copying it (is bit 1002265 a 1? No? OK. I'll store a 1 anyway since there
> > is also a 0 at bit 1002265 of the gideon bible).
>
> The judge will recognize that as merely an elaborate method of copying.

Shrug - if he likes I can make sure that the "copy" is never verbatim,
and that the original is never recoverable from the data, and that no
copy is made that lasts longer than the time needed to pass it into my
visual or auditory systems. I submit that that is "reading" and not
"copying".

> won't go over any better than would cutting and pasting words and letters
> out of a public-domain work.

But I used a chinese wall. That is, I built a wall and called over it
"is the fifth letter an 'a'?", and the person on the other side of the
wall answered, as he chose to answer. I never saw the thing he was
talking about, nor can I tell if he is telling the truth. He is not
under my control. You may say that the other person copied (the other
person is an agent of mine, but is not under my control from moment to
moment), and then I ask where is the copy?

Peter

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Windows 2000 Source Code File
    ... > I am pointing out that the definition of copying needs clarification... ... It was clarified to the satisfaction of the law a long, ... Reading is simply _defined_ as not copying. ... simply by asking the server to transmit a coded version ...
    (comp.os.linux.setup)
  • US students score sweeping gains on tests!!!
    ... male, and female - are improving in math and reading, especially those ... where most of education reform has focused. ... the national gains could be attributed to the new federal law. ... schools through greater accountability. ...
    (alt.politics)
  • Re: US students score sweeping gains on tests!!!
    ... male, and female - are improving in math and reading, especially those ... where most of education reform has focused. ... the national gains could be attributed to the new federal law. ... schools through greater accountability. ...
    (alt.politics)
  • Re: Embedded systems publishers
    ... One is personal use copying, involving no money - it is "copyright infringement" and is illegal, meaning you can be sued for it in a civil court. ... In neither case is it theft, but copyright infringement. ... People who sell unlicensed copies of books, software, music, or whatever are not thieves - but they *are* criminals, and should be treated as such by law enforcement and justice systems. ...
    (comp.arch.embedded)
  • Re: Embarrasing
    ... I remember reading about this in a British paper. ... I'm not saying the law was enacted, but there was certainly a move - ... speculation at best - Alonso wants Symonds? ... Briatore is a less straight forward case, ...
    (rec.autos.sport.f1)