Re: Old games and copyrights


23 Mar 1995 16:48:29 -0800

bcr@bohr.physics.purdue.edu (Bill C. Riemers) writes:
>OK. Is there a point? Granted there reply sounded abit paraniod, but I
>would be abit paraniod too, if I learned that you had already invested a
>chunk of time trying to re-release a publication of mine without receiving
>a permission first. You could check into copyright laws and find out when
>it enters public domain. I believe it would have already entered public
>domain, had they not choisen to re-assert there copyright. i.e.

> no reply to request + copyright older than 7 years ==> public domain

>Since U.S. copyright law is based on intent and it clear they still intend
>on it being copyrighted, you have to wait at least 7 more years befor a
>no reply to your request means yes. Foolish you, it was a mistake to repeat
>your requests. Next time just keep written proof of the first request and
>hope that they either grant explicitly or fail to respond.

This is riddled with misinformation. Copyrights don't end until
at least 25 years after the death of the author. There have been
and may be even more extensions passed into law. Are you confused
with patents? (17 years, total, I believe)

I've heard worries that copyrights may be made permanent someday.
Something movie studios and others would like. (don't know what
I think about it... why should they become public property,
at any time?)

The only way these computer games will be PD is if the
copyright owners release them. By the time they become
public domain, by law, few will remember these games.