Book People Archive

Re: New copyrights on pubic-domain texts?

> University presses are just
> now beginning to recognize the advantages of web publishing, but
> they will charge for the privilege (Columbia University Press was
> in the news recently as the first).  Consequently, they might be
> touchy about others publishing the same works for free on the web.

But some are nicer than others. I asked the University of Virginia
Press about re-publishing a 1979 book of Troubadour music, which is
out of print and they have no interest in ever republishing. They
didn't say yes, but they did indicate that they would be interested
if I could somehow technically prevent someone from "pirating" the
book off the web and reprinting it on paper. Most readers here
would consider that a naieve concern -- after all, the bad guy could
already photocopy the paper book -- but it does indicate that they
are interested in the idea.

I plan to propose putting a copyright notice on every page. We'll see
if I succeed.

-- g