Muncy Bill

COPYRIGHT REFORM PROCESS

SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED REGARDING THE CONSULTATION PAPERS

---

Documents received have been posted in the official language in which they were submitted. All are posted as received by the departments, however all address information has been removed.

---

Submission from Bill Muncy received on July 28, 2001 9:06 AM via e-mail

Subject: Comment

There is considerable evidence of abuse from both sides of the "copyright of intellectual properties" issue. However, it is apparent to many of us that the majority believe that most intellectual property holders willingly share most of there materials because there is invariably a quid-pro-quo achieved at some point.

Linux and other major producers - even Microsoft - concur and have made many of their materials free to some degree or other. This indicates the commercial aspects of the discussion are valid. That is - if the producer wishes to make a property free to users for whatever reason, - then the producer has considered the commercial aspects and is still willing to make the item available.

I don't think anyone has a complaint where "reasonable prices" are attached for the use of of a property. My issue is with the greedy and/or opportunistic folks who have grabbed up names and concepts etc. in the off chance they can make a buck easilly simply by holding the rights to something. I think these people are the culprits and we need to ensure they do not hold onto their current rights. As an aside - surely these types cause the rest of us unneccessary expense and surely this in turn is contributing (albeit in a very small way) to some of our current high tech woes..

Thanks for the chance to whine a little.

Bill Muncy