+ How is freeware different then shareware? Please give several examples.
Freeware is what the name implies... Totally free, no strings attached.
Shareware comes in two main flavors that I have seen:
Able to use the program with a message of guilt everytime you start
the program or a full usage of the trial with a certain expiration time.
+ Define the concept of 'fair use' and describe its limits.
For me, the basic idea of fair use basically means I can use something
that hasn't been directly prohibited if it's use will be for a educational
purpose. For example, I think I can use NBA's
logo for a school project if I say I like basketball. While looking on the
internet, I found a
site that covers the details very well. I also learned about why it is
okay for a teacher to copy off a part of a published book. Basically, the line
is drawn where you try to make (selling copied movies) or save money (burning MP3s)
by using other people's intellectual work.
+ How long does copyright protection last? Is it one set of rules for all types of work?
I found this information at
a site talking about the copyright changes. In 1998 the law was
was changed so that the object copyrighted lasts the duration of
the creator's life plus another 70 years.
+ Please list several types of works in the public domain.
Before 1923:
In Public Domain (no term)
1923-1963:
28 years & option renewal for additional 47 years (recently extended to
1964-1967:
28 years with new automatic extension to 67 years.
More information available at
http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm
+ List the steps you might take to protect your work from general use.
Depends on what you are trying to protect. For intellectual creations
copyright protection is assumed... This holds true even if they do not
have a copyright notice on the piece of material under discretion.
This is great for the internet, so you don't have to put a copyright
all over the place. However, it is a good practice doing so anyway.
+ The supreme court is currently hearing a case on the extension of copyright laws. Based on the readings in class
and from the Web do you feel that the copyright protection should be extended an additonal twenty years? Why?
Give an example where it may be good to extend the copyright protections and an example where it would
not be as good to the consumer.
I don't think it needs to be extended any more... From the consumer point,
having one person control a given image or technology can produce a monopoly.
However, with a given image or trademark, I think that should be able to be
copyrighted as long as the company exists.
+ Please list a few links where I can go to find more copyright information.
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