Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Thu, Apr 17 2008
Oregon laws copyrighted?
What is this recent ruckus concerning the State of Oregon's copyright claims on the Oregon laws? If government is paid for by taxpayer money, then doesn't what a state government does also belong to the taxpayers? I thought that the people owned the state government and that the state government didn't really "own" anything, including laws. Those are owned by the people. I had no idea that a state could claim to copyright such things, unless perhaps it's somehow doing so in the name of its citizens. Did anyone on the government payroll asked Oregonians if they wanted their laws to be copyrighted.
I'm glad no one ever bothers to insist on a copyright for our U.S. laws. I love seeing the Preamble and the Bill of Rights written in so many places. The very nature of our country's laws has freedom and open access at its foundation. I'm very sad to hear that there are at least a few folks in Oregon who feel otherwise about their state laws.
posted at: 05:29 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
What is this recent ruckus concerning the State of Oregon's copyright claims on the Oregon laws? If government is paid for by taxpayer money, then doesn't what a state government does also belong to the taxpayers? I thought that the people owned the state government and that the state government didn't really "own" anything, including laws. Those are owned by the people. I had no idea that a state could claim to copyright such things, unless perhaps it's somehow doing so in the name of its citizens. Did anyone on the government payroll asked Oregonians if they wanted their laws to be copyrighted.
I'm glad no one ever bothers to insist on a copyright for our U.S. laws. I love seeing the Preamble and the Bill of Rights written in so many places. The very nature of our country's laws has freedom and open access at its foundation. I'm very sad to hear that there are at least a few folks in Oregon who feel otherwise about their state laws.
posted at: 05:29 | category: /Writing Life | link to this entry
