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Isaac Newton's Notes Digitized
First time accepted submitter nhstar writes with an excerpt from an article in the Register: "If you're looking for a bit of light reading this holiday season, Cambridge University is here to help: they've digitized and made available online over 4,000 pages of the pioneering scientist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton's most important works. 'Anyone, wherever they are, can see at the click of a mouse how Newton worked and how he went about developing his theories and experiments,' Cambridge University Library's digitization manager Grant Young told the BBC."
Being able to develop theories, without worrying some lawyer will come pounding on your door, claiming you are infringing this copyright or that patent.
Dear Sir, it would pleasure us if you would cease and desist with observations on gravity as our client holds the patent on Apples Falling From Trees And Striking A Person Upon The Head. Should you continue with in your present direction we shall have you summoned to the King's Court and sort you out. Dewey, Cheatham & Howe, LLP
Of course they had their battles, who stole an idea from who, but it was usually sorted out with a lot of yelling and smearing of reputation, rather than getting solicitors involved.
Yeah, it was so much better when the local bishop, who is family with the local nobility if not royalty, would excommunicate you, imprison you, or even torture/execute you for heresy because your scientific finds went against Catholic/christian doctrine.
The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
He also became a significant political figure and sent more than a few people to the gallows. Not the sort of figure I'd want DMCA advocates knowing about, let alone emulating!
It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)