Bruce- As a member I have to take exception to most of your note. 1) To oversimplify, non-standard original shapes much like the satellite model often are considered copyrightable, and the copyright vests in the creator when the work is created. Notice and registration have much to do with the right to sue and collect damages, among other things, but have nothing to do with the copyright vesting in the creator. 2) In my experience, it is a rare organization that would be happy with a director having an informal discussion with "enough" other directors and then releasing its intellectual property. And AMSAT should not be happy with it. It might be OK in an open source world, but it certainly is not the norm elsewhere. In this case it may have been fine, but it's hardly the model of responsible intellectual property stewardship. 3) Your opinion that AMSAT shouldn't pursue patents dumbfounds me. While patents are often pursued where they shouldn't be, you can't make that naked statement a priori. You must appreciate AMSAT is blessed with a wealth of technical expertise and experience. To suggest AMSAT might not generate valuable, protectable inventions in the course of its work totally fails to recognize AMSAT's organizational capabilities. If AMSAT creates something that is commercially significant in the satellite field, protectable by any form of IP, that invention should not be disclosed to others until an informed decision is made as to its potential value. If there is a good business case for protecting the asset, that should be done. I expect there are enough members that could do this work pro bono, if the work could actually provide AMSAT with licensing income or leverage for collaboration opportunities. I expect many AMSAT volunteers already know this from their work elsewhere, but figured it was worth mentioning, as its seems some folks may not. Scott ka9p
From: Bruce Perens via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org To: Michelle Thompson mountain.michelle@gmail.com Cc: AMSAT BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tue, Jul 14, 2020 5:53 pm Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Who I'm voting for (long)
I am not entirely sure that it would have been copyrightable, in any case.
17 USC 102(b): In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work.
Such things are the domain of patent rather than copyright. And we can discuss another time why AMSAT should not pursue patents.
Of course, most people stick a copyright declaration on things without ever understanding that. Don't try to take it to court. _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb