Comments on: eBay, grannies and copyright

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 13:11:34 +0000

United States federal copyright law grants exclusive rights to copy, distribute, prepare derivative works, etc.

It grants NO exclusive right of purchase or possession.

In practical terms, this means that the ESPC’s claim that persons who buy infringing goods are themselves infringers is 100% Grade A bogus. Worse, the $300 settlement demand transforms what would otherwise be mere wishful thinking into something closer to extortion and mail fraud.

If I were Granny, I would decline the settlement (since no actionable claim has been threatened), and possibly forward the letter to my state’s attorney general and the United States postal inspector.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 09:57:07 +0000

I’ll buy the boots for you. But not from ebay.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 02:47:41 +0000

Damn it! I fucking hate living here. This countrie’s fucked up. Money’s the only thing that matters, but one day man, I am outta here. And when I am outta here, if someone comes claiming I owe anything to him/her/them, I am gonna fucking kick his/her/their ass with my steel toe shoes.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 20:05:55 +0000

it’s a bit odd that someone can purchase something, not knowing in any way that they are purchasing counterfeit product can be sued. I mean, the company should contact them and say “hey look you purchased an illegal copy and we will work with you on keeping it valid.

how was this granny supposed to know whether or not the software is legit. My own personal software that i have developed and marketed 100% myself, is constantly sold on ebay by REAL pirates. I think i have faxed half a dozen infringement notices to ebay and they usually are very good about taking them down.

i have no problem with people using, or giving away my software for free, but if you charge someone for it, i will go after you. I won’t go after the purchasers, though i may contact them to inform them, however to threaten the receivers of the product is ridiculous. shame on them. My guess is granny won’t be buying it from them now.