🚀 go-pugleaf

This is another follow-up to copying PBS video programs off-air.

"The 45-day rule":  As a faculty member, you may copy a PBS program
                    and show to a class within ten (10) days of the
original airing.  You, yourself, may continue to view it personally
for up to forty-five (45) days following the original airing after
which it must be erased.

One of our faculty has a letter from PBS telling him they could not
give permission to copy the ACM programs.  He was referred to another
organization (not ACM) which told him he could NOT copy them but no
letter followed.

If you're showing these videos from off-air taping, you are very
likely violating the copyright laws.  Either erase them, or be very
quiet about your activities.  It's not consistent to teach respect of
intellectual property rights, e.g., "don't plagiarize papers, programs,
data files," "don't copy protected software even if its only protection
is a warning on the label," and then use illegally copied videos in
the classroom!

If the laws are not acceptable, work to change them.  There are
certainly widely held opinions in this area.  The ACM could
work to make these videos available to members at reduced cost if
this is not already possible.

Thank you.
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|  James A. Schaefer, Assoc. Prof.  Internet:  FacSchaefer @ ric.edu   |
|  Math & Computer Science Dept     BitNet:    JAS @ RICVM             |
|  Rhode Island College             Phone:     (401) 456-9758          |
|  Providence, RI 02908-1991                            -8038          |
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