DEVON-L Archives

Archiver > DEVON > 1998-09 > 0904966342


From: Edgar Barbour <>
Subject: Re: Devon Records for sale?
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 03:32:22 GMT


Let me start by stating I agree with and support copyright protection. This
however is not an internet issue any longer. You can now have your
information/publications on the net / sell it (download to the buyer's PC)
it's no more at risk than someone photocopying a book. Societies can even
charge a membership/user fee for access to parts of their website that has
'valuable' information.

The issue is one of access and the web is the way to go. Structured properly
it can increase not decrease income and access. People will have access to
the information and the organization what gets it to them in the most
convenient way, at the most effective cost, will get their money.

I say digitize the libraries, archives, and publications etc and charge a
reasonable fee for access to or purchase of information

Best wishes
Ed B.

>>
>>Societies are rightly worried about their financial situation might be
>>affected if their publication sales drop off - though there are a number
>>who can now point to distinct increases in membership due to the existence
>>of their Web sites and services to Internet users.
>>
>I would like to preface this message by saying I agree about the copyright
>issue. Anything more than an accredited "footnote" would constitute
>copyright infringement without the appropriate permission.
>
>I don't see sales dropping off by going onto the Internet if they follow
>the suggestions below. In fact I see an increase. This is just a note to
>anyone wanting to contact their societies in order to persuade them to go
>on-line.
>

>
>

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