[odf-discuss] Request for Digg help

[marbux]

I'll respond to Ian in this post too.

On 5/30/07, Lars D. Noodén <lars at umich.edu> wrote:
>
> On Tue, 29 May 2007, marbux wrote:
> > ... IP laws are not enforced. The point being that the ability to use a
> > license to control how much freedom there is for others to make use of
> > the code is not absolute. ...
>
> Conflating patent law, copyright and trademarks probably doesn't help us
> any and probably only obfuscates the real issues pertainent to data
> formats or code licenses.


Well, Ian does point to the conundum. Where do you land in the vortext that
lies among accuracy, understandability, and harm that over-generalizations
can cause down the line. I certainly can't point to a bright line formula
for resolving such conflicting values.

I know that I've had to spend a fair bit of time over the years helping
clients understand that what they learned in Business Law 101 wasn't true in
all cases. Over-simplification can lead to people making some pretty big
mistakes down the line.

On the other hand, you've got kids who mostly lack the background to
understand more fine-grained information within the time allotted. So do you
explore the microcosm thoroughly, the macrocosm lightly, or something
betwixt?

I wish I had a good answer to that problem but I don't. I just wanted to
note the overstatement to make sure Ian knew it was there. I can't fault him
for it being there. I'm sure he agonized over how to approach the subject
far more than I did. I'm more than comfortable with him making the call.

Nice project, Ian.

Best regards,

Marbux
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