Posted by Flashman at client-151-197-126-201.bellatlantic.net on January 13, 2000 at 17:04:39:
In Reply to: Wow, that's... alarming posted by Vincent on January 13, 2000 at 15:08:31:
While I often tell people not to worry too much about what appears to be the legal use of copyrighted materials, the simple fact that something is distributed or broadcast for no value does NOT grant the distributor or broadcaster any sort of civil or criminal immunity. You can "slap an injunction on his ass" to enjoin him (whoever) from further showings of the film. This is probably virtually pointless, though, as it is does not appear to be ongoing conduct. But damages may be available even if no value was received for showing the movie. And if Jason Lee didn't receive money under the table to show up with a copy of "A Better Place", and isn't a co-conspirator in a chain of illegal video distribution, let his lawyers prove it!!! (Steady there, Flash) Personally, I'd be more curious than anything just to see the program. Some Federal law (if you want me to look it up that'll be $150.00/hour, just kidding) requires broadcasters to retain recordings, or at least transcriptions, of everything they broadcast for a period of time, so the material ought to be available. This isn't really my field, though. I've only ever obtained copies of news broadcasts. I don't know anything about public access off the top of my head. If "Punk in Drublic" has no further information, it would be my conclusion that none of this actually happened as stated.
On an unrelated note, I'm thinking of having my cards laminated so that I can put them under the slices of 8-cut pizzas that I will have delivered to hospital emergency rooms. I mean, who needs T.V. ads to get clients?
Flashman