UN: Public Domain (voting ends Monday 31st May)

[ceroomaster]

Public Domain
A resolution to reduce barriers to free trade and commerce.


Category: Free Trade
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Our Own Laziness
Description:
UN nations resolve to establish a public domain. If something is "in the public domain" then anyone can copy it or use it in any way they wish. The author has none of the exclusive rights that apply to a copyrighted work.

Works pass into the public domain when:
(1) the term of copyright for the work has expired
(2) the author failed to satisfy statutory formalities to perfect the copyright
3) it is a work of a UN Government
4) it is deemed "freeware" or "shareware"

[ceroomaster]

Ceroo is firmly AGAINST.

Parliament voted overwhelmingly against this proposal and First Minister Morgan commented that "it [the proposal] is a waste of time, not even worth debating".

(3) would suggest that anything produced by the government would be in the 'public domain', including classified inteligence reports?

[DarkCloud]

Iguana Fire votes for this proposal in the greater interests of the free market spirit.

Despite strong protests in the business community, the Government has decided to go ahead with this libertarian measure, hoping that it will contribute to less legalism, more innovation and more development, efficiency and production (although many business leaders claim that the enaction of such legislation will stunt research since the researching corporations will have little incentive to do so when their intellectual property will become hijacked)

-In addition Iguana Fire is no longer a UN Government, therefore it is glad that this legislation will not apply to (3) However, since the government does not develop any products itself, but merely exists to serve the business of the people, Iguana Fire has little fear of this enumeration in any event

[joncha]

Jonchastan is in favour of the motion. We will, however, be voting along with the majority (we'll remember this time, honest!).

[GeneralTacticus]

AGAINST.

[xiaodave]

The wonderful people of Ming Tran vote in favor of this lovely piece of legislation.

[Ave'Tris]

Against.

Government material should not be included.
Information that could compromise national security should NOT be in the public domain.

[Az]

wait, ANY un governmentT? or THE un government?

[joncha]

3) it is a work of a UN Government

a = any

All government business in Jonchastan is a matter of public record. The people's government has no secrets.

[Az]

How do you do espionage then?

[joncha]

Espionage is a mode of operating of oppressive class societies. We operate in a more enlightened manner.

[xiaodave]

This law revolves around copyright issues. To extend copyright authority over sensitive state secrets would require something more sweeping than one letter 'a' in this document. Copywright and patent law are also seperate so this applies really only to printed media. Books music movies. Not planes, tanks, espionage or velociraptors.

[Az]

no velociraptors?

[Mr. President]

Originally posted by joncha
Espionage is a mode of operating of oppressive class societies. We operate in a more enlightened manner.

What would that be? Asking your enemies politely to tell you their secrets?

[joncha]

We operate openly and democratically, in order to provide a shining example for the working and oppressed peoples of the world.

/me starts singing the Internationale...