Cable Forum - View Single Post - Request For Comments

erol · 20-10-2003, 02:11

I have a couple of questions. I hope it is not taken in the wrong way. It is not designed to question anyones integrity.

With whom will the legal ownership of this site lie.

If this project realises it's goals, which imo are ambitious but achievable, the site will be a valuable resource, in monetary terms, as Russ jokingly aluded too.

In my view to make this work there needs to be some form of 'protected joint ownership' of the site.

It will also need to be clear with whom copyright belongs.

This can either be with the site or with the indivdual authors. There are concerns with both. If it resides with the authors and an author 'falls out' with the site for any reason then they will be able to 'take away' the content they have contributed. If it lies with the site, and the ownership of the site is 'hidden', then this is a big comitment from any authors. They will essentialy be creating content for free that in turn creates value for an unkown owner.

I think that the idea is a good one in principal but I also think that issues of ownership and control of content are ones that need serious consideration , up front.

Things that possibly warrant discussion and thought

Ownership of the site. Hidden or Open? Singular or Joint? If joint under what terms and conditions ?

Copyright of contributions from editors. Owned by indivdual or the site ? One possible way forward would be for the owner to retain copyright and give permission to the site for use under agreed terms, like perhaps as long as not money is made from the site then use is granted. If the site generates revenue then such use is not automatic.

Again I would like to re iterate that imo these are real issues that need to be considered for a site like this to have the best chance of sucsess. They are in NO WAY intended to a personal questioning of anyones integrity. For me these issues need some thought regardless of who is currently in ownership of this proposed effort. Things can and do inevitably change over time and the site should be prepared for this from day one.

20-10-2003, 02:11	#9
erol Inactive Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: cyprus Posts: 510	Re: Request For Comments - ntli.info I have a couple of questions. I hope it is not taken in the wrong way. It is not designed to question anyones integrity. With whom will the legal ownership of this site lie. If this project realises it's goals, which imo are ambitious but achievable, the site will be a valuable resource, in monetary terms, as Russ jokingly aluded too. In my view to make this work there needs to be some form of 'protected joint ownership' of the site. It will also need to be clear with whom copyright belongs. This can either be with the site or with the indivdual authors. There are concerns with both. If it resides with the authors and an author 'falls out' with the site for any reason then they will be able to 'take away' the content they have contributed. If it lies with the site, and the ownership of the site is 'hidden', then this is a big comitment from any authors. They will essentialy be creating content for free that in turn creates value for an unkown owner. I think that the idea is a good one in principal but I also think that issues of ownership and control of content are ones that need serious consideration , up front. Things that possibly warrant discussion and thought Ownership of the site. Hidden or Open? Singular or Joint? If joint under what terms and conditions ? Copyright of contributions from editors. Owned by indivdual or the site ? One possible way forward would be for the owner to retain copyright and give permission to the site for use under agreed terms, like perhaps as long as not money is made from the site then use is granted. If the site generates revenue then such use is not automatic. Again I would like to re iterate that imo these are real issues that need to be considered for a site like this to have the best chance of sucsess. They are in NO WAY intended to a personal questioning of anyones integrity. For me these issues need some thought regardless of who is currently in ownership of this proposed effort. Things can and do inevitably change over time and the site should be prepared for this from day one.