Publication Does Not Really Mean Publication: The Need to Amend the Definition of Publication in the Copyright Act

American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal, Vol. 33, No. 3, p. 225, Summer 2005

29 Pages Posted: 27 Apr 2006

See all articles by RayMing Chang

RayMing Chang

George Washington University Law School

Abstract

This article examines whether electronic dissemination of a work (e.g., distribution via the Internet) results in publication under the 1976 Copyright Act. The author argues that the definition of publication needs to be amended to explicitly include electronic dissemination because there is strong support for the interpretation that publication cannot result from electronic dissemination. Publication is still very significant because publication is necessary for a plaintiff to receive statutory damages. The author's argument is supported by an analysis of the meaning of publication under the 1976 Copyright Act and a critique of the Southern District of New York's analysis of publication in Getaped.com, Inc. v. Cangemi. The author also discusses the failed attempt to amend the definition of publication in 1995, as well as necessary considerations and potential obstacles to amending the definition of publication.

Keywords: copyright, publication, Internet, web, website, electronic dissemination, Getaped

JEL Classification: k11, k00

Suggested Citation

Chang, RayMing, Publication Does Not Really Mean Publication: The Need to Amend the Definition of Publication in the Copyright Act. American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal, Vol. 33, No. 3, p. 225, Summer 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=897643

RayMing Chang (Contact Author)

George Washington University Law School ( email )

2000 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
524
Abstract Views
8,084
Rank
97,742
PlumX Metrics