Copyright [was Re: Python Obfuscation]

[David T]

I realize that this thread skirts with being OT, but there are  
serious implications for Pythonistas and Open Source software types.

I didn't mean to suggest that T.E. moved to California. I did,  
however, misspeak (mis-type?) when I said Edison formed a studio in  
California. His was in NJ, according to Google and other officious  
oracles.

A few different accounts of Edison's relationship to the film industry:

http://www.filmsite.org/pre20sintro2.html
http://www.cobbles.com/simpp_archive/edison_trust.htm

FYI, as a newbie to _this_ list, I had some difficulties with my  
first post to this thread earlier today.

It follows at the end of this post.
On Nov 13, 2005, at 7:28 PM, Alex Martelli wrote:

> David T <i.failed.turing.test at gmail.com> wrote:
>    ...
>> Tom Edison moved to California so _he_ could skirt copyright laws of
>
> I'm not aware of any move to California for either the better-known
> Thomas Alva Edison, or his lesser-known and less successful son of the
> same name.  Could you clarify?  The movie industry was born in
> California to skirt around some of Edison's (and others') patents, but
> that's a whole 'nother story, of course.
>
>
> Alex
> -- 
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list


Just my $0.02:

Individuals, and perhaps groups of individuals are the creators of  
works.

Walt Disney was a creator. Disney Inc. is not the creator, but has  
managed to twist copyright laws to maintain control of Walt's mouse.
Tom Edison moved to California so _he_ could skirt copyright laws of  
the works _he_ was stealing. (See episode 7 of "From the Earth to the  
Moon" miniseries, re Georges Méliès' 1902 silent film «Le Voyage dans  
la lune»)
Edwin Howard Armstrong invented FM radio (and even got the patent),  
but RCA won the war. The giant corporation was able to twist  
regulations to drive Edwin to a despairing death.

Today, Anne A. Mator might create a new character for Disney Inc.,  
but the copyright belongs to Disney Inc., not Anne.
Professor Suchn Such of Abig University might write a book, but "The  
Regents of Abig University" get the copyright.
Annin Ventor might build a better widget for Transnational Megacorp,  
but Annin will probably never see a dime of profit or recognition.


Why? IMHO, most inventors, writers and artists have too much to do  
and too little spare money to pay lobbyists to have laws written for  
them. Giant corporations do have the money to get laws written for  
them. Still, I've never seen a creative corporation or a creative  
law. The best corporations and governments can do is foster an  
environment where creativity flourishes and is justly rewarded.

Thus, I must express my gratitude to all of those programmers who  
write open-source code (even if it doesn't go anywhere), and even  
shareware, and other works which are made available and open at no or  
reasonable cost. The Python community most of all.

A free and open marketplace of ideas and products is quite capable of  
separating the triticale from the chaff.

It makes all of us more productive!

--David