On 4/9/07, Monahon, Peter B. Peter.Monahon@uspto.gov wrote:
PS - Regarding web site policing the copyright of open contributions, I'm not sure why anyone but the copyright holder is pursuing such "policing" of their own copyrights and infringements. I think it rather presumptuous for anyone ELSE to scrutinize contributors and "police" the use of someone else's copyright as if it's their job to act as the author's agent. I appreciate it's property, just like my home or car. But, I do not expect anyone to come running after me on the street and say, "Hey, prove you own that car" - unless they alone are the real owner and they know I stole THEIR car. So, I do not expect someone else who is NOT the original author and / or copyright owner to come running after me and say, "Hey, prove you have the rights to those words / pictures / intellectual property." My 2ยข today.
Youtube is that way. Commons is about free content. Copyvios are not free.