In regards to Gonzi's dilemma and MultSanta's reply and others in:re web
thievery:
Yes, its out and out theft. He has stolen and is guilty. The work is the
same. The page(s) are
the same. I am sorry that this has happened and I hope that everyone on
this list ( even the IDM'ers
that love to get in arguments with you, Gonz) should send out digital
condolences.
Some thoughts, some questions, some advice:
1. I'm sure you are aware that as the Internet is *still* relatively new
that copywright embodies some grey area.
On the Internet, perhaps more than in/on any other information age
endeavor, copywright and the protections that
it offers realy struggles to assert itself. People steal and get away with
it ALL THE TIME.
example: ( here I go with the conspiracy theory again ) There are many
Fortune 500 companies who maintain multi million
dollar budgets for market research. A large percentage of marketing
dollars are spent plundering the internet. There are
people whose *jobs* are to do exactly what you have gone through. I know
someone ( no mentions, here) who does it.
He goes to work, gets on the web, steals ideas and then rewrites them as
his (the *companys* ) own. Its like stealing candy
from a baby. This does go on beyond the lame move that
junglizt@islandia.is has pulled.
2. I am NOT an HTML writer so please don't laugh at me for asking this. I
do dabble on the Asphodel page, but am not the author. My question is
this: while I realize that you can check out other people's code and, by
consequence, cut and paste ( see steal) it, why is this so easy? Are there
not encryption/security programs that can "lock out" someone's code as it
is their
own "intellectual property"? Perhaps a naive question, so all you techies
out there, please answer this as professionally as you can. YES, I realize
that Netscape has a function that reveals the code, but why not a program
that can keep it hidden?
Would'nt this make copywright on the Net a bit more secure?
3. As far as what we can do, I realy don't know. I thought that perhaps we
could organize an IDM wide letter, one that is penned by you ( in a
professional tone, of course) that would be approved by the list master
that would then be adressed from* every single one of us*. Those that
disagreed could simply email, "do not include me". This would result in at
least a 1000+ email. YES YES YES, I know that this is very unlikely and is
work for the listmaster. Its a pipe dream. I realize that it is not the
position of a list or a listmaster to get into libel, slander or politics.
More realistically, Gonz. Post a request to this list ( and perhaps to the
ambient list, too ) explaining your situation. As for permission to use
their email signatures in a letter as mentioned. Maybe if the people on
this list resemble some kind of a community as is often *suggested* round
here, we (you) could at least make a point. A letter showing disapproval
from hundreds, if not thousands, of IDMers does'nt make your situation any
better, but it may be the most legal option that you have going for you.
I can also recommend a good copywright lawyer who works for $200 - $500 an
hour....tee hee.
Gonz, I feel for your situation, but there isn't too much you can do.
I hope that other list members, even your foes, can stand behind you on this.
respectfully,
np: advance of the new X Men LP ( upcoming on Asphodel, "winter": '97 )
ps: to paraphrase/butcher a very old saying: Plagiarism is the ultimate
form of flattery.
If junglizt@islandia.is did'nt think your page was the dopest, he would'nt
have stolen it.
bpm0@interport.net
Peter Becker, Promotions: Retail, DJ Pool
Asphodel Records, NYC
PO Box 51, Chelsea Station, NY NY 10113
Phone # (212) 965-0265
FAX # (212) 965-0959
http://www.asphodel.com