Re: zwiki copyright status
On Fri, Nov 12, 2004 at 12:11:18PM -0800, Bob McElrath wrote:
> 1. Does the above constitute a valid copyright transfer? Given the
> above, what is the copyright status of this project? Are the copyrights
> still held by individual contributors or are they (in your legal
> opinion) actually held by the maintainer?
As for this part of your question: no. Copyright transfer must be made
in writing, at least in the US. (IANAL; this is my understanding but
not a legal opinion.)
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/17/chapters/2/sections/section_204.html
"A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is
not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of
the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed
or such owner's duly authorized agent."
Verbal agreement isn't enough.
--
Glenn Maynard
Reply to: