[Wikipedia-l] Dream a little...

[ScottL]

Platonides wrote:
> "gwern branwen":
>> *Can* we sue? My understanding was that if they sold us copies and
>> then tried to restrict redistribution of those PD works (and no EULA
>> or contract was signed) simply through copyright mechanisms, then we'd
>> have some sort of legal recourse, but that we can't demand that they
>> make the works physically available simply because they happen to be
>> PD if they decline to have us as customers.
>>
>> --Gwern
> 
> IANAL so don't trust me, but i don't think someone could force me to pay
> for a PD material. However they would probably ask you a fee for sending
> you it or having saved it for X years :-(
> Lawyers should be consulted. 

   But you cannot force them to give it to you either.  They if they own 
a copy, can offer to sell it to you.  A real property transaction.  You 
can decline to pay and they can decline to give you a copy.

SKL