Discussion of all things related to Public Domain

["tompoe AT renonevada.net" <tompoe AT renonevada.net>]

Hi, Dan: Open Studios, as you probably are aware, is a nonprofit 
dedicated to replenishing our precious Public Domain.

Recently, we have outlined, and initiated what will eventually be a 
global community Public Service education program.  The curriculum calls 
for talks to be given at various venues throughout a community, e.g., 
bookstores, art galleries, libraries, schools, etc.  These talks will 
focus on topics related to Public Domain, Copyright, Creative Commons, 
Democracy and a Civil Society, and the Digital Age.

I invited the local Barnes & Noble bookstore to host our talk[s], but 
was rejected.  I complained to the store manager, who immediately fired 
the community relations director, and was referred to the regional 
community relations director.  I also, at the same time, sent a missive 
to Steve Riggio, CEO of Barnes & Noble.  He, in turn, had Ms. Mary Ellen 
Keating, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, respond.  The 
text of her letter is at:
http://www.studioforrecording.org/mt/Pubdomain_Bread, the posting, 
"Sierra Nevadans Chat . . . .March 2, 2003"

So far, these clueless yahoos are the perfect illustration of the 
time-honored tradition of printers with their heads stuck in the sand. 
Were they to embrace and support Open Studios, they stand to increase 
their loyalty base, not only in Reno, but around the country.  I'll be 
using them to highlight the real-world application of Open Source vs. 
The Old School, for doing business in the Digital Age.

Will keep you posted of further progress in this "Digital Age soap opera".
Your friend, I remain,
Tom Poe
Open Studios
Reno, NV
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http://www.studioforrecording.org/
"There is no Public Domain unless we do it ourselves"
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Please go to EFF.org page at http://www.eff.org
and register for the TAKE ACTION page.
If you can donate $5 to them, that'll help, too
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