CompuServe Messages

OK, let's forget about the Sande case, and let's also assume that Levitan's article had factual errors. What about the OTHER article in the November COMPUTE!, the one titled "CompuServe and the Public Domain"? In reference to a discussion with Mr. Rich Baker, director of corporate communications for CIS, the article alleges that "CompuServe's user agreement copyright notice does say the … programs there are for the express purpose and use of the owner of a Compuserve identification number. That means no copies of any public domain software can be made legally for distribution without written permission from Compuserve,he says." and "For…members…who may wish to distribute copies of downloaded software, Baker says there is a procedure. 'It's just like any other copyright. They would make application in writing to us, and we would review it and respond in writing with permission or denial'". That sounds like CIS certainly IS attempting to claim copyright on everything uploaded to them. Why does this policy seem to differ with what the sysops here are claiming? Was Baker misrepresented or misquoted? Is there a lack of agreement within CIS itself as to what the policy really is? I for one would like an answer… –apl