CompuServe Messages

This is more directed at Viewpoint but since you were the sender… <<Internet's most popular 3D repository, due to the acquisition of the Avalon site by Viewpoint Datalabs of Orem, Utah.>> I can understand that Viewpoint can actually purchase the site, i.e. equipment, address etc, but how can they make a claim to OWNING the copyright to the models that have been uploaded FREELY by people wanting to give them out FREELY. I say this because it appears that they have assumed copyright of the models since they restrict themselves to the only ones able to "copy" and "distribute" the models. Namely everyone can freely download them at will but they are the sole to "mass distribute" something that isn't theirs to begin with. Did each of the uploaders give Viewpoint the permission to be the sole distributor. No! Were they aware that someday someone could restrict the distribution of their free models? No! They uploaded the models knowing that they could be freely distributed to other sites without restriction and now Viewpoint wants to profit from the generosity of others. How can they "own" these models? I say "own" because this is effectively what they are doing. Restricting copying by other parties assumes that they hold at least a "collection copyright" on the models which isn't the case. This stuff was uploaded for free distribution by anyone and everyone without restriction. What is to stop someone else setting up another site and copying all the avalon models? The models are free and there is no collection copyright. Then Viewpoint comes along and says no. What legal basis have they to do such a thing? <<"In light of their investment and commitment to improve the site for the continued free access of everyone, Viewpoint has requested that Syndesis respect Viewpoint's desire to be the single source of Avalon net access and Avalon CD-ROM publication.">> Viewpoint is exploiting the good will of those generous people who chose to upload models freely for the benefit of everyone. I understand that they want to still give out the models "freely" but I'm sure they didn't invest in the site if they don't expect to get something($$$) back. <<Existing mirrors of the Avalon site have been asked to stop and remove their copies of the Avalon files. Viewpoint will operate its own mirror sites around the world.>> If that isn't enforcing an assumed copyright I don't know what is! This was not the intentions of the people uploading models nor the people maintaining the Avalon site. As far as I understand it the Avalon site didn't own the models, it was just a repository from which other people could access and other mirrors made, so why can Viewpoint, having purchased the Avalon site, make a claim to now at least holding a "collection copyright" over the models? How can this happen I don't know, but it sucks! Let this be a warning to everyone who might want to freely contribute to the Studio City 2000 project. Somewhere along the line someone will exploit the goodwill of the others. It is also an indication of the commercialization of the Internet that is going to mean commercial interests will be trying to take a big bite of the cherry without concern for the intentions of those individuals that made the Internet the free information network it is today. DaviD "From the money Viewpoint…" GouID