[gurps] Copyright spam

[Matthew Ludivico]

I have to say this whole topic is pretty much spam to this thread.
I'd suggest Googling the copyright FAQ that the US government puts out:  http://www.copyright.gov/faq.html
 
Basically there are no 'feel good' consumer protection aspects to copyright law.  It's to protect the artist so they can go into business.  The only exceptions are "fair use" which exists to keep copyright law from infringing upon free speech, and software which can be infinitely backed up legally.  
 
"Ripping" or converting to different media forms is an infringement unless you receive authorization from the copyright holder (e.g. the "Permission to photocopy" phrase).  The only consolation is that if you make less than 10 copies, it isn't a felony, but anyone can be taken to civil court for damages for up to $10,000 per incident for making only one unauthorized copy. If it involved peer-to-peer, or 10 copies or more, it is a felony.
 
That's all folks!!!!   Just remember what happened to TSR when they got pissy on the internet against their fans publishing D&D fan-fics and fan-worlds (technically copyright infringements)----they lost business and had to sell to WoTC in the end.
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