Jim Patrick
A Fixture
I have a question about product licensing and how it pertains to figures. I'm sure we are about 99.9% in agreement when it comes to someone we see selling copied figures on eBay or somewhere else. We can all agree that this practise, morally and legally, is just wrong.
But I'm not asking about copying a figure(s). This subject came up recently while I was on the phone with a friend and it has really got me thinking now.
Say, if I were the publisher for XYZ figure emagazine and I sold issues online. After you purchase the magazine and go to download the issue you want, what if I, the publisher, attached a codec or licensing agreement (of some sort) with the download that allowed you, and only YOU, to view this issue on your computer thereby elimanating any chance of you, the purchaser, of sharing the emagazine with other people (even your friends). The licensing agreement you have downloaded will allow you to view the issue an infinite number of times. You could even print it off as many times as you want (although, as I have found out, I can even limit the number of times you print). Basically, you can do anything you please with an emagazine I, as a publisher, have created as long as you:
1- pay the download price
2- agree this is for your PERSONAL use and cannot be shared amongst friends and colleagues.
Now, I can see both sides to this. I, as the publisher of XYZ figure emagazine, have every right to protect my product. I'm also legally permitted (I think?) to do this as well.
But what of the hundreds of websites out there that offer pirated music or even movies? We all go to these sites yet we all preach about how its illeagle and immoral to copy another company's figures. But what about a download from a website? Is the company just as equally permitted to do things that would prevent such piracy from happening in the first place?
And what of an individual out there that has purchased an issue of XYZ figure magazine? Does he not have the right to give it away? Or even re sell it? Both of which a licensing agreement will prevent him (or her) from doing.
How is an emagazine any different from a printed magazine?
What are your thoughts? I would like to offer 3 options for everyone here at pF to respond.
1- Click the like button if you agree that publisher of XYZ figure magazine has the right, and should do this, but do not wish to get caught up with any type of typing or response.
2- Actually type your response to have your feelings and opinions, both pro and con, heard (you can still click like if you want to here).
3- If you disagree that publisher of XYZ figure magazine should be able to do this and you just simply don't have the time to respond, TYPE "I DON'T AGREE".
Please people, if someone does not agree with the prevailing thought, DO NOT turn this into a flame war. It's a simple question and I want to hear ALL opinions.
Thank you,
Jim Patrick
But I'm not asking about copying a figure(s). This subject came up recently while I was on the phone with a friend and it has really got me thinking now.
Say, if I were the publisher for XYZ figure emagazine and I sold issues online. After you purchase the magazine and go to download the issue you want, what if I, the publisher, attached a codec or licensing agreement (of some sort) with the download that allowed you, and only YOU, to view this issue on your computer thereby elimanating any chance of you, the purchaser, of sharing the emagazine with other people (even your friends). The licensing agreement you have downloaded will allow you to view the issue an infinite number of times. You could even print it off as many times as you want (although, as I have found out, I can even limit the number of times you print). Basically, you can do anything you please with an emagazine I, as a publisher, have created as long as you:
1- pay the download price
2- agree this is for your PERSONAL use and cannot be shared amongst friends and colleagues.
Now, I can see both sides to this. I, as the publisher of XYZ figure emagazine, have every right to protect my product. I'm also legally permitted (I think?) to do this as well.
But what of the hundreds of websites out there that offer pirated music or even movies? We all go to these sites yet we all preach about how its illeagle and immoral to copy another company's figures. But what about a download from a website? Is the company just as equally permitted to do things that would prevent such piracy from happening in the first place?
And what of an individual out there that has purchased an issue of XYZ figure magazine? Does he not have the right to give it away? Or even re sell it? Both of which a licensing agreement will prevent him (or her) from doing.
How is an emagazine any different from a printed magazine?
What are your thoughts? I would like to offer 3 options for everyone here at pF to respond.
1- Click the like button if you agree that publisher of XYZ figure magazine has the right, and should do this, but do not wish to get caught up with any type of typing or response.
2- Actually type your response to have your feelings and opinions, both pro and con, heard (you can still click like if you want to here).
3- If you disagree that publisher of XYZ figure magazine should be able to do this and you just simply don't have the time to respond, TYPE "I DON'T AGREE".
Please people, if someone does not agree with the prevailing thought, DO NOT turn this into a flame war. It's a simple question and I want to hear ALL opinions.
Thank you,
Jim Patrick
