Years ago when I used to sell manuals on Ebay I had a go around with Heathkit, it was determined that a digitally reproduced and enhanced manual did not violate the copyright and many of the early copyrights were never renewed. A couple of letters from my Attorney and everything was dropped.

When Daystrom bought Heath they abandoned the manuals, a couple of former employees took the manuals and they were given copyright ownership by Heath. Also Heath never enforced their copyright and their manuals were copied and sold for many years, this fact alone would put the manuals in the public domain.

Now we have a new owner of the disputed Heathkit copyrights. It has never been determined what he actually purchased for his $5000. Can the legacy of the ownership be traced from Heathkit through the many companies to the new owner, I don't think so. The document he received is very unclear about what he actually owns. In my opinion the only thing he purchased was a piece of paper.

A little man can stir up a lot of dust with a small stick.

Dave

Some good reading, seems like the copyrights were never transfered. http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?t=187806

That sales agreement is very interesting, mainly for what it doesn't say.

It does simply say he bought the assets of the business, Heathkit's Legacy Manual Duplication and Distribution "product line." The specific assets are not described, nor is the "product line." If the intent was to convey copyrights, then the sales agreement is very poorly written. And, as Dave says, there is no assurance that Heath even still had title to the copyrights in question.

It's a sham.
Doug

A buyer says he has purchased the rights to all Heathkit data and has given notice thereof. Opinions don't matter unless you are willing to file suit to negate his claim.

Schematics are still available. If they go away too, make your own.

By the way, why does anyone think they are entitled to free manuals? I'm happy to get them too, but I certainly don't feel I have a right to them.

:A buyer says he has purchased the rights to all Heathkit data and has given notice thereof. Opinions don't matter unless you are willing to file suit to negate his claim.
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:Schematics are still available. If they go away too, make your own.
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:By the way, why does anyone think they are entitled to free manuals? I'm happy to get them too, but I certainly don't feel I have a right to them.
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:Why Hyperventilate? If someone is forcing sites to take down there free manual service then it should be absolutely unquestionable that he has the right to do so. In this case people are asking questions and that's good. Why post anonymously? If you have a strong opinion you should stand behind it just like the people who are asking questions. bob
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::A buyer says he has purchased the rights to all Heathkit data and has given notice thereof. Opinions don't matter unless you are willing to file suit to negate his claim.

You have it backwards, He has to file copyright infringments against you.

Dave

Either way, a bunch of crybabies isn't likely to have any real effect. That's what most of the complaints are. A few who have questioned the legality may have reasonable ideas, but it is still curious why most seem to think they are entitled to getting something for free. They are the ones who get all worked up.

:::A buyer says he has purchased the rights to all Heathkit data and has given notice thereof. Opinions don't matter unless you are willing to file suit to negate his claim.
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:You have it backwards, He has to file copyright infringments against you.
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:Dave
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:Either way, a bunch of crybabies isn't likely to have any real effect. That's what most of the complaints are. A few who have questioned the legality may have reasonable ideas, but it is still curious why most seem to think they are entitled to getting something for free. They are the ones who get all worked up.
:What is the difference between copying a download from the internet and photocopying a portion of a book at the library. Just as long as it is clear where the information came from you are not violating copyright. This is the basis that judges were going by when they ruled on the legality of sharing information on the internet. Go figure? ------ bob -------
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::::A buyer says he has purchased the rights to all Heathkit data and has given notice thereof. Opinions don't matter unless you are willing to file suit to negate his claim.
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::You have it backwards, He has to file copyright infringments against you.
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::Dave
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