Book People Archive

Re: Eldred v. Ashcroft


On Mon, 19 Feb 2001, Eric Eldred wrote:
> 11. In a separate move, also originated in this mailing
> list, some of us are forming an intellectual property
> conservancy to be known as 'Creative Commons.'  Like the
> Nature Conservancy, it would give incentives in the form
> of tax deductions for donations to the public domain that
> would make works accessible on the Internet.  We are 
> working with The Knowledge Conservancy at CMU to form a
> new corporation, make some tax law changes, and implement
> an organization that would provide the incentives.  We
> plan to include patents as well as copyrights, and we
> are considering starting with a limited scope and then
> broadening it to combat the 'strong intellectual property
> rights' forces.  We have received some financial backing
> and have attorneys in place and participation by a half
> dozen universities.  We will reveal more on this
> subject as it happens.

If it is permissible, can you expand on this part?  My
first impression when I read this part is that it simply
encourages people to seek for longer copyright term.  They
may think that the longer the term is, the more valuable
their works will be, the higher tax deductions they will
get.  How will the intellectual property conservancy
prevent people from wanting longer copyright term?


I too am disappointed about the ruling but I am not
surprised, given the increasing unfriendly atmosphere of
the courts toward the public domain.  In your message,
you asked people for opinions on whether to appeal or
not to appeal.  I think that it is best not to appeal.

I pray that the future for the public domain will
be better for all of us.


Joseph Pietro Riolo
<riolo@[redacted]>