Delance said:Actually, since patents are protected by just 10 years, extended for an extra 10, you can indeed build your own 1968 Mustang free of charge. You can't sell it as a Mustang, since the trademark is owned - you'd have to sell as a replica, of course. But you can legally make and sell any car older than 20 years.
Haesslich said:You know, I think I felt my IQ dip a point or two after reading through this thread....
Just because something isn't being made or published now doesn't mean that the copyright isn't still in effect - it just means that the company in question is leaving the license in its portfolio, perhaps to bring back at a later date. Enforcement of the copyright can vary, depending on the company involved, but they still hold the copyright. Thus a 'null' copyright does not exist - the copyright is defined by the copyright holder and the copyright office of the country or countries they register the intellectual property under.
I'd probably try to avoid arguing copyrights unless you've done enough reading, and maybe have a lawyer who specializes in the field working with you on the issue in question.
Amerika said:Yes but they still have plenty of stuff, including the SO epsisodes. It just isn't logical for a company to sue over something that brings them no money back
Haesslich said:In other words, you're saying that it's not logical to pursue legal action against you if you took some of my property off my land while it was kept locked up in a shed, because I wasn't actively making money off it? The only 'abandonware' out there is the stuff that was released under public domain by the copyright holder: stuff like Elder Scrolls: Arena.
Haesslich said:Cool, and I didn't even have to try to see Godwin's Law invoked.
psych said:Damn shame man. At least we were able to see another example of Charles Darwin's Law in real-time!
Haesslich said:You can build a Mustang replica, but the copyright to the Mustang trademark and look is still the property of the Ford company. Ford has not abandoned the Mustang name completely, and most Mustangs I see for sale out there are made using Ford parts and the frame, but it's not the same as 'no copyright exists'.
Amerika said:You sir, rule. At last someone on the CIC who isn't scared of null copyrights.
After the terrible conflict that has left over two million dead, and one hundred thousand military and civilians missing in action