[Upd-discuss] Re: [A2k] EFF, PK Drop ACTA Suit -- Anyone to Take Up the Case Now?

[Michael S. Hart]

On Fri, 19 Jun 2009, Richard Stallman wrote:

> The reason I remind people to think about the term "intellectual
> property" is that I believe its confusion gives great help to our
> enemies in the long term.  Repeating their propaganda is an
> own-goal.

I believe that you are merely confusing the issue further,
thus avoiding placing attention on the actual issues. . . .

Once you have thus confused people, muddying up the waters,
that you then will not get any more of their attention, and
thus will not be able to communicate substantive issues.



> However, with ACTA there is a more immediate reason to expose the
> confusion in the term "intellectual property"-- because the treaty
> uses that term.

All the treaties, laws, etc., use that term.

I'm not suggesting YOU should use it, just that you should
be more conscious of the effect your comments have and the
placement of such comments could be made more effective.



> (See http://www.keionline.org/blogs/2009/06/15/thoughts-acta-negotiations/)
>
> The drafters of this treaty have been led into confusion by their own
> propaganda.  (It was only a matter of time before this happened.)

They are not confused at all. . .it's been a steady and consistent
effort on their part. . .and your attempt to portray it as confused
only makes your own efforts sound confused, not theirs. . .think!


> They have written treaty requirements in terms of "intellectual
> property".  This means, in effect, imposing a single policy on
> copyrights, patents, and trademarks, trade secrets?, and maybe other
> legal issues as well.

No, this is nonsense. . .no one, even back to the first "patents"
that started the entire concept of our copyright laws, ever had a
"single policy of copyrights, patents, and trademarks, trade
secrets" etc., etc., etc.

You are creating your own stumbling blocks here. . . .

At least make the substantive points FIRST. . .then semantics.


Thanks!!!


Michael S. Hart
Founder
Project Gutenberg
Inventor of ebooks


Recommended Books:

Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury:  For The Right Brain
Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand:  For The Left Brain [or both]
Diamond Age, by Neal Stephenson:  To Understand The Internet
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster:  Lesson of Life. . .

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