Response to: http://www.politechbot.com/p-02311.html ******** From: Judith Platt <jplattat_private> To: "'declanat_private'" <declanat_private> Subject: The ZD Net Story Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 10:40:19 -0400 Dear Declan: In case anyone out there is REALLY interested in the truth re the ZDNEt story on librarians and copyright, I was quoted completely out of context. The reporter totally misinterpreted my remarks, either through her own lack of understanding or a desire to ratchet up discord between publishers and librarians. My reference to "Ruby Ridge," while perhaps ill-advised, was used metaphorically to indicate an extremist position out of the mainstream--a very radical view that has been expressed in some quarters (although not by any librarians of my acquaintance) that all computer code is protected speech under the First Amendment and that no one--neither a publisher nor an author, nor anyone else-should be able to encrypt copyrighted material to protect it from unauthorized use and reproduction, and expect the encryption to be viewed as any other lock used to protect property. My reference to an "extreme position" HAD NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH THE DESIRE OR ABILITY OF LIBRARIANS TO MAKE INFORMATION FREELY AVAILABLE. What the reporter, Ms. Bowman, failed to include in her article were my numerous statements about the cooperative relationship between publishers (and their national trade association) and librarians. We totally value what librarians do and we are working together to come up with ways that will take full advantage of the new digital environment to make information available to the widest possible audience without sacrificing the legitimate copyright interests of authors and publishers. Judith Platt Director of Communications & Public Affairs Association of American Publishers Judith Platt Director of Communications & Freedom to Read Association of American Publishers 50 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 email: jplattat_private ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. To subscribe, visit http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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