On Mon, 6 Nov 1995, Robin wrote: > Douglas, > Would you unpack "unless stated otherwise" for me. Do you mean the author > has to relinquish his/her rights? I want to put something like the following Yes, it must be a specific relinquishment of copyright, though I think the courts usually frown on "infringement" cases brought by people who haven't actively defended their copyrights. > in my welcome message but am uncertain as to the legality - > > By default all material posted to this list is considered to be in the public > domain unless there is an explicit copyright notice attached to the message. You can say that if you want to, nothing wrong with it, but I don't know if it would hold up if challenged. It's in the nature of a contract, like the lables on software shrinkwrap, which don't always hold up in court. Your presumption is that everyone posting to the list has read the contract and by posting to the list gives tacit agreement to the contract. If they've never seen the contract they can't be said to have agreed to it. If you can guarantee that *all* posters to the list have read the contract and agree to it, fine, you *may* have something. If you can't guarantee that you really don't have anything. Again, it would best to take this to the copyright list, they'll love to tell you all about it in greater detail than you can stand. Did I say earlier "life plus 50?" It can also be "life plus 75" if a corporation (publisher) has gotten its hands on the copyright. Douglas Douglas Winship Hays County, Texas [log in to unmask] Secondary AUTOCAT Listowner MEDLAB-L