Re: [FWDLK] parts book - copying

["Richard Main" <main2@xxxxxxxx>]

The 55-56 Parts Book I have claims no copyright at all and has no notice of
any copyright or reservation of rights.  Under the Copyright Act as it
existed in 1955, does that mean Chrysler forfeited rights?  Also, what
would Chryslers legal damages be if someone where to copy a book they no
longer sell and have zero interest in republishing?  Would a Court be
motivated to enter judgment and impose damages on a copier that made a
couple dozen copies for zero profit?  Would Chrysler be motivated to bring
an action in Federal Court that would cost them a minimum retainer of $250K?

Richard Main
Attorney-at-Law
(Intellectual Property)


At 4:51 PM -0700 6/11/98, Dan Davids wrote:
>I don't mean to rain on your parade, guys, but I strongly suspect that the
>Plymouth parts manual remains nothing less than a copyrighted piece of work,
>no matter how old. Since Chrysler is still in business, the argument that the
> book
>would somehow now be in the public domain would not hold water. You
>either have to find an original and purchase it on the open market, borrow one
>from a friend or club, or obtain Chrysler's permission to copy it (just like
> with
>any book).
>
>Having had a successful career in publishing, I recommend you at least check
>with Chrysler. And originals aren't *that* hard to find. I didn't have to look
> far to get one.
>I think I paid 80 bucks for it. After all, there were thousands of dealerships
> out there.
>
> - Dan Davids
>Seattle
>
>
>----------
>| From: Jim Wilson <jwilson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>| To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>| Subject: [FWDLK] parts book
>| Date: Thursday, June 11, 1998 1:32 PM
>|
>| I finally got the 55-58 parts book from the dealer here in town and will get
>| it copied, I need those of
>| you who wanted a copy to let me know again who you are (my machine took most
>| of my e-mail to the great
>| shredder in the sky), I the copier quoted me roughly 45 bucks each one. So
>| if you will let me know in the
>|  next couple of days I will get it done.
>| Jim