Again, it's not the data in the table, it's the table itself. Likewise, it's not the info Alpha generates, it's the format it is presented in.
The data's sort of collateral damage - once put through Alpha it's copyrighted *in that form* to Alpha. Of course, the data exists in many formats, and can be used without ever placing it through Alpha. So it doesn't make much sense to think that Wolfram owns the data's copyright, which they have themselves apparently negotiated the right to process (for data not in the public domain).
The copyright of machine generated work has been a matter of law for more than a hundred years.
Wolfram does not own the copyright to the information, but that's not what's really important in this case. It's the same as citing Google Calculator if you use it to solve homework problems.
Using a machine to generate and collate information into a useful form factor easily has precedent. Just look at the steam tables. Sure, steam's not something any of us can lay claim to, but generating the pages of numerical solutions for the various physical properties is. The phase diagrams are very easy to defend as creative work, as good graphical communication is something requiring high intellectual effort. And it's valuable. A similar argument can be made for the steam tables themselves. Engineers for many decades relied on these tables, and they are for sale, like sheet music. After all, someone creatively designed the model that generated the data (and if you prefer not to use theirs, the option is always open for you to figure out a way create your own for personal use - or profit if you're innovative enough!)
In this way, it's easy to see how the output of Alpha is copyrightable. One could argue it's a monumental achievement as a creative intellectual work. Basically the whole point of the engine is to make knowledge universally accessible in an easy form factor. The fact that it's free to use doesn't mean the authors don't want credit for it (why this is so rarely understood boggles my mind). If you would prefer not to respect the copyright on the output, the same option is available as the steam tables - generate your own, or find another source that's been released for free and open use, or simply find a way to make do without it.
What would be fascinating is if that is utilized to drive the system getting set up. Really, if the family can sell it for that much, then they make $100 profit and could buy another. This could be encouraged - so long as their child gets to always have a laptop.
No. In fact, that data is helpful in understanding the device. The implications of messing with such an important nerve are harrowing. Think about it: while we can be sure the doctors will do a decent job installing the device (hence the training required), will it stand up to everyday use? Under what circumstances will the device take damage or fail? And the possible side-effects already humously commented on may actually be of concern.
Try to discern the difference between trivial and pertinent data next time.
The job is definately over-seas. Anyone with some mecroeconomic experience know if this even qualifies as an American court case? Perhaps it's because Google is based in the US, but he's also left (or fled:/) the country as well.
Imagine: Childrens books outlining how qbits work and why room temperture superconducting cables allow the child's wallpaper to interact with him or her in real-time.
Cafepress is cool, but there are some jokes/phases/logos that would be especially fun if noone else had it. I would see this site catering to not only the got-my-kid's-name-on-a-tshirt bunch but also the geeky inside-joke group - where maybe five of your friends are the only ones who will get understand the t-shirt. It's the ultimate insider wear.
No doubt this will happen, given that it apparently will also be capable of a keyboard version of a screen saver. It would certainly explain why they want OLEDs over digital paper, since the paper would be too slow to react properly to typing.
That'd be great except for two things:
-The Bugzilla block
-And we don't want the legal laymen to get the Slashdot-effect confused with DDOS, nothing good would come of that.
Yes. It's odd how a medium that millions use to find sites of interest could be harmed by a search engine. Indeed, while looking for some hard to find parts for a lab I'm working in, Google's cache ability directed me to the names of some companies that make old or hard to find parts. The cache showed previous sellers, which led to a trail to other vendors who still have items in stock. That should be a good thing.
Slashdot Mirror
Again, it's not the data in the table, it's the table itself. Likewise, it's not the info Alpha generates, it's the format it is presented in. The data's sort of collateral damage - once put through Alpha it's copyrighted *in that form* to Alpha. Of course, the data exists in many formats, and can be used without ever placing it through Alpha. So it doesn't make much sense to think that Wolfram owns the data's copyright, which they have themselves apparently negotiated the right to process (for data not in the public domain).
The copyright of machine generated work has been a matter of law for more than a hundred years.
Wolfram does not own the copyright to the information, but that's not what's really important in this case. It's the same as citing Google Calculator if you use it to solve homework problems.
Using a machine to generate and collate information into a useful form factor easily has precedent. Just look at the steam tables. Sure, steam's not something any of us can lay claim to, but generating the pages of numerical solutions for the various physical properties is. The phase diagrams are very easy to defend as creative work, as good graphical communication is something requiring high intellectual effort. And it's valuable. A similar argument can be made for the steam tables themselves. Engineers for many decades relied on these tables, and they are for sale, like sheet music. After all, someone creatively designed the model that generated the data (and if you prefer not to use theirs, the option is always open for you to figure out a way create your own for personal use - or profit if you're innovative enough!)
In this way, it's easy to see how the output of Alpha is copyrightable. One could argue it's a monumental achievement as a creative intellectual work. Basically the whole point of the engine is to make knowledge universally accessible in an easy form factor. The fact that it's free to use doesn't mean the authors don't want credit for it (why this is so rarely understood boggles my mind). If you would prefer not to respect the copyright on the output, the same option is available as the steam tables - generate your own, or find another source that's been released for free and open use, or simply find a way to make do without it.
What would be fascinating is if that is utilized to drive the system getting set up. Really, if the family can sell it for that much, then they make $100 profit and could buy another. This could be encouraged - so long as their child gets to always have a laptop.
No. In fact, that data is helpful in understanding the device. The implications of messing with such an important nerve are harrowing. Think about it: while we can be sure the doctors will do a decent job installing the device (hence the training required), will it stand up to everyday use? Under what circumstances will the device take damage or fail? And the possible side-effects already humously commented on may actually be of concern. Try to discern the difference between trivial and pertinent data next time.
The job is definately over-seas. Anyone with some mecroeconomic experience know if this even qualifies as an American court case? Perhaps it's because Google is based in the US, but he's also left (or fled :/) the country as well.
Imagine: Childrens books outlining how qbits work and why room temperture superconducting cables allow the child's wallpaper to interact with him or her in real-time.
Cafepress is cool, but there are some jokes/phases/logos that would be especially fun if noone else had it. I would see this site catering to not only the got-my-kid's-name-on-a-tshirt bunch but also the geeky inside-joke group - where maybe five of your friends are the only ones who will get understand the t-shirt. It's the ultimate insider wear.
No doubt this will happen, given that it apparently will also be capable of a keyboard version of a screen saver. It would certainly explain why they want OLEDs over digital paper, since the paper would be too slow to react properly to typing.
That'd be great except for two things: -The Bugzilla block -And we don't want the legal laymen to get the Slashdot-effect confused with DDOS, nothing good would come of that.
Yes. It's odd how a medium that millions use to find sites of interest could be harmed by a search engine. Indeed, while looking for some hard to find parts for a lab I'm working in, Google's cache ability directed me to the names of some companies that make old or hard to find parts. The cache showed previous sellers, which led to a trail to other vendors who still have items in stock. That should be a good thing.