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I don't know who the "we" in the software world is that they are referring to. The fact that some of the people in your scenario are from other countries where they do run "shortcuts" does seem relevant. I think that expediency and profit are also both factors. And when you live in a country where survival is paramount, that can be a driving force. But it is wrong and they know it. It doesn't make it acceptable or right just because they may do it.
However, having worked with a number of software companies who happen to also have developers in one of those countries, the good companies do not take shortcuts.
Shame on them. Good for you for standing your ground. Do you think you will have stopped them from doing this?
Lin
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+linlaurie1=hotmail -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com <techwr-l-bounces+linlaurie1=hotmail -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> On Behalf Of Carolyn Palo
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2023 9:48 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Copyright infringement
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to share the outcome of the potential copyright problem with copying and/or rebranding one company's software user manual to another.
The Legal Department told the Product Manager (who thought this was "no big
deal") that they (software devs, product management for the most part here in the US) needed to get permission from the software company (Finland), to copy the manual.
On Fri, Mar 3, 2023 at 10:30âAM Carolyn Palo <carolynpalo -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> Thank you everyone. Your responses solidify my stance on the matter.
> I'm dealing with a mix of naivete, ignorance and cavalier attitudes.
> I deflected to the legal department as a matter of education, in the
> least, and exposure to some thinking. The software engineer is from
> India, the product manager is from here in the states, the manual is
> from Finland.
>
> My conscience -don't do it. It is a big legal risk, and to add some
> color, I once managed the book distribution of an "elite software
> company." My background is book publishing. Some of their technical
> books went OP (out-of-print) and were sitting in the warehouse. They
> are typically destroyed unless the author wants them or authorizes a
> remainder sale. It's illegal to sell them as the rights have expired.
> The "elite software company" didn't want to pay to have the OP books
> destroyed, "We can sell them!" they said. We said, "No." "Yes, we
> can!" they said (sales). I explained to my liaison there, "Nope,
> legal problems will happen and you will be sued." They insisted. We
> sold them on their behalf with a big warning.
> They thought they
> made a lot of money and were "disrupting the system."
>
> Then they were sued multiple times by the authors who wrote the books.
>
>
> *Carolyn Palo*
> *Professional Writer *
> Phone: 617-491-0551
> Email: carolynpalo -at- gmail -dot- com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 3, 2023 at 6:39 AM Peter Neilson <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net>
> wrote:
>
>> I can believe it. There are several possible motives:
>> - Lazy or sloppy management.
>> - Naive - "The information wants to be free."
>> - Scary deadline, no time to make it right.
>> - Underhanded. There is a hidden agenda.
>>
>> It usually comes down to money. Cui bono?
>>
>> On 3/3/23 04:44, Keith Hood wrote:
>> > I can't believe anyone could be so cavalier about what could be
>> > such
>> a horrendous legal risk. I've worked in this field for more than 30
>> years and I've never heard of something like this. I think the people
>> you are working for are not solidly in this world.
>> > Keith Hood
>> >
>> > On Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 11:15:12 PM CST, Gene Kim-Eng<
>> techwr -at- genek -dot- com> wrote:
>> >
>> > Structurally, perhaps, but it does not relieve you of the need
>> > for
>> clear
>> > copyright on all your topics.
>> >
>> > Gene Kim-Eng
>> >
>> >
>> > On 3/2/2023 6:51 PM, Tony Chung wrote:
>> >> Isnât that the whole use case behind DITA?
>> >>
>> >> -T
>> >>
>> >> On Thu, Mar 2, 2023 at 14:05 Carolyn<carolynpalo -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> Hello - wondering what experience anyone has with copying manuals?
>> >>> Specifically, taking an existing manual and changing the name
>> >>> only -
>> from
>> >>> one company to another?
>> >>>
>> >>> My stance is it is plainly copyright infringement. Iâm told
>> >>> âyeah
>> but no
>> >>> one cares we do it all the time in the software world.â
>> >>>
>> >>> Really? Anyone?
>> >>>
>> >>> Carolyn Palo
>> >>> 617 491-0551
>> >>> âDonât find fault, find a remedy.â - Henry ForD
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