I received this message a few days ago. I sent it to Greg for his opinion, but either my messages aren't getting through, or he's been busy, as I haven't received a response. Anyway, I thought I'd forward it to the list for discussion. Personally I don't see that there would be a problem, as long as the DVDs are given as gifts, and not sold. Nevertheless, what do the rest of you think? "Hi Project Gutenberg folks, First of all, thanks for all the wonderful work you do. I appreciate it so much. I had a question about using Project Gutenberg's CDs or DVDs as "free" gifts in a membership drive for an advocacy group. I'm doing some work for Public Knowledge (a DC based advocacy group that lobbies for the public interest in intellectual property issues-- I'm sure you've crossed paths with them), and I'm helping them improve their online outreach and fundraising. One of the things we'd like to do is let people show their support by becoming members. We'd like to offer people who donate gifts such as Public Knowledge t-shirts, or books like Lessig's "Free Culture", and we'd like for some of these items to be a celebration of Creative Commons licenses and the public domain. Along those lines, we're interested in giving members Project Gutenberg DVDs. Would that be possible? Are there any rights issues? And what would be the best way to get a hundred or so copies that we could send out? If there's a suggested donation when copies of the CD are made, what kind of donation would you consider to be fair? Thanks for you time, and I look forward to hearing from you, -Holmes Wilson" Sincerely Aaron Cannon -- E-mail: cannona@fireantproductions.com Skype: cannona MSN Messenger: cannona@hotmail.com (Do not send E-mail to the hotmail address.)
I say "Let 'em at 'em!" (That's Texas speak for "yes"). They aren't making any money off them per se, so I don't see a conflict of interest, etc. But heck, that's just my $0.02 CAD! -- James jlinden@projectgutenberg.ca PS: Aaron, email your snail mail addy, I have a stack of PG CDs to send you. Aaron Cannon wrote:
I received this message a few days ago. I sent it to Greg for his opinion, but either my messages aren't getting through, or he's been busy, as I haven't received a response.
Anyway, I thought I'd forward it to the list for discussion. Personally I don't see that there would be a problem, as long as the DVDs are given as gifts, and not sold. Nevertheless, what do the rest of you think?
"Hi Project Gutenberg folks,
First of all, thanks for all the wonderful work you do. I appreciate it so much.
I had a question about using Project Gutenberg's CDs or DVDs as "free" gifts in a membership drive for an advocacy group. I'm doing some work for Public Knowledge (a DC based advocacy group that lobbies for the public interest in intellectual property issues-- I'm sure you've crossed paths with them), and I'm helping them improve their online outreach and fundraising.
One of the things we'd like to do is let people show their support by becoming members. We'd like to offer people who donate gifts such as Public Knowledge t-shirts, or books like Lessig's "Free Culture", and we'd like for some of these items to be a celebration of Creative Commons licenses and the public domain. Along those lines, we're interested in giving members Project Gutenberg DVDs.
Would that be possible? Are there any rights issues? And what would be the best way to get a hundred or so copies that we could send out? If there's a suggested donation when copies of the CD are made, what kind of donation would you consider to be fair?
Thanks for you time, and I look forward to hearing from you,
-Holmes Wilson"
On Wed, Jan 26, 2005 at 03:46:24PM -0500, James Linden wrote:
I say "Let 'em at 'em!" (That's Texas speak for "yes"). They aren't making any money off them per se, so I don't see a conflict of interest, etc.
But heck, that's just my $0.02 CAD!
-- James jlinden@projectgutenberg.ca
Sorry I missed the earlier note. Yes, I agree with James. We probably need to get some more specific language into a CD/DVD license file. The "small print" really only applies to resale where profit is involved, but we get a lot of requests that don't quite fit. It's always fine to send such requests to me and/or Michael. -- Greg
PS: Aaron, email your snail mail addy, I have a stack of PG CDs to send you.
Aaron Cannon wrote:
I received this message a few days ago. I sent it to Greg for his opinion, but either my messages aren't getting through, or he's been busy, as I haven't received a response.
Anyway, I thought I'd forward it to the list for discussion. Personally I don't see that there would be a problem, as long as the DVDs are given as gifts, and not sold. Nevertheless, what do the rest of you think?
"Hi Project Gutenberg folks,
First of all, thanks for all the wonderful work you do. I appreciate it so much.
I had a question about using Project Gutenberg's CDs or DVDs as "free" gifts in a membership drive for an advocacy group. I'm doing some work for Public Knowledge (a DC based advocacy group that lobbies for the public interest in intellectual property issues-- I'm sure you've crossed paths with them), and I'm helping them improve their online outreach and fundraising.
One of the things we'd like to do is let people show their support by becoming members. We'd like to offer people who donate gifts such as Public Knowledge t-shirts, or books like Lessig's "Free Culture", and we'd like for some of these items to be a celebration of Creative Commons licenses and the public domain. Along those lines, we're interested in giving members Project Gutenberg DVDs.
Would that be possible? Are there any rights issues? And what would be the best way to get a hundred or so copies that we could send out? If there's a suggested donation when copies of the CD are made, what kind of donation would you consider to be fair?
Thanks for you time, and I look forward to hearing from you,
-Holmes Wilson"
gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
I will let them know. Thanks. Also, can you confirm whether my messages are or are not getting through to you? I originally sent this E-mail to you direct, but I didn't get a response. If it's simply that you've been busy, then that's fine. I just want to make sure they're not getting lost for some reason. Thanks. Sincerely Aaron Cannon At 03:18 PM 1/26/2005, you wrote:
Sorry I missed the earlier note. Yes, I agree with James. We probably need to get some more specific language into a CD/DVD license file. The "small print" really only applies to resale where profit is involved, but we get a lot of requests that don't quite fit. It's always fine to send such requests to me and/or Michael. -- Greg
PS: Aaron, email your snail mail addy, I have a stack of PG CDs to send you.
Aaron Cannon wrote:
I received this message a few days ago. I sent it to Greg for his opinion, but either my messages aren't getting through, or he's been busy, as I haven't received a response.
Anyway, I thought I'd forward it to the list for discussion. Personally I don't see that there would be a problem, as long as the DVDs are given as gifts, and not sold. Nevertheless, what do the rest of you think?
"Hi Project Gutenberg folks,
First of all, thanks for all the wonderful work you do. I appreciate it so much.
I had a question about using Project Gutenberg's CDs or DVDs as "free" gifts in a membership drive for an advocacy group. I'm doing some work for Public Knowledge (a DC based advocacy group that lobbies for the public interest in intellectual property issues-- I'm sure you've crossed paths with them), and I'm helping them improve their online outreach and fundraising.
One of the things we'd like to do is let people show their support by becoming members. We'd like to offer people who donate gifts such as Public Knowledge t-shirts, or books like Lessig's "Free Culture", and we'd like for some of these items to be a celebration of Creative Commons licenses and the public domain. Along those lines, we're interested in giving members Project Gutenberg DVDs.
Would that be possible? Are there any rights issues? And what would be the best way to get a hundred or so copies that we could send out? If there's a suggested donation when copies of the CD are made, what kind of donation would you consider to be fair?
Thanks for you time, and I look forward to hearing from you,
-Holmes Wilson"
gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
-- E-mail: cannona@fireantproductions.com Skype: cannona MSN Messenger: cannona@hotmail.com (Do not send E-mail to the hotmail address.)
One thing to remember, if the DVD are used as "premiums" such as is done with PBS/NPR membership drives, then they are legally regarded as being "sold" and the "donation" to PBS/NPR, etc., is no longer a "donation," and thus no longer tax deductible. Thus the "fine print" concerning the "sale" of Project Gutenberg eBooks would legally apply. However: When our DVDs are truly given away free of charge, as has been done by various people at public libraries, the Internet Archive, etc., that is just fine, also as per the "fine print." I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice, just what I remember from our lawyers and what our own local PBS/NPR stations' disclaimers. Michael On Wed, 26 Jan 2005, James Linden wrote:
I say "Let 'em at 'em!" (That's Texas speak for "yes"). They aren't making any money off them per se, so I don't see a conflict of interest, etc.
But heck, that's just my $0.02 CAD!
-- James jlinden@projectgutenberg.ca
PS: Aaron, email your snail mail addy, I have a stack of PG CDs to send you.
Aaron Cannon wrote:
I received this message a few days ago. I sent it to Greg for his opinion, but either my messages aren't getting through, or he's been busy, as I haven't received a response.
Anyway, I thought I'd forward it to the list for discussion. Personally I don't see that there would be a problem, as long as the DVDs are given as gifts, and not sold. Nevertheless, what do the rest of you think?
"Hi Project Gutenberg folks,
First of all, thanks for all the wonderful work you do. I appreciate it so much.
I had a question about using Project Gutenberg's CDs or DVDs as "free" gifts in a membership drive for an advocacy group. I'm doing some work for Public Knowledge (a DC based advocacy group that lobbies for the public interest in intellectual property issues-- I'm sure you've crossed paths with them), and I'm helping them improve their online outreach and fundraising.
One of the things we'd like to do is let people show their support by becoming members. We'd like to offer people who donate gifts such as Public Knowledge t-shirts, or books like Lessig's "Free Culture", and we'd like for some of these items to be a celebration of Creative Commons licenses and the public domain. Along those lines, we're interested in giving members Project Gutenberg DVDs.
Would that be possible? Are there any rights issues? And what would be the best way to get a hundred or so copies that we could send out? If there's a suggested donation when copies of the CD are made, what kind of donation would you consider to be fair?
Thanks for you time, and I look forward to hearing from you,
-Holmes Wilson"
gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
I am neither an accountant nor a lawyer, but my layman's understanding of this was that a donation of this sort would still be tax deductible, less the value of the goods that you received in return. For example, if I donated $100 to an organization and they gave me a stuffed animal valued at $5 in return, then I would be able to deduct $95 of this $100 donation. Is my understanding of this inaccurate? Scott Michael Hart wrote:
One thing to remember, if the DVD are used as "premiums" such as is done with PBS/NPR membership drives, then they are legally regarded as being "sold" and the "donation" to PBS/NPR, etc., is no longer a "donation," and thus no longer tax deductible.
Thus the "fine print" concerning the "sale" of Project Gutenberg eBooks would legally apply.
However:
When our DVDs are truly given away free of charge, as has been done by various people at public libraries, the Internet Archive, etc., that is just fine, also as per the "fine print."
I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice, just what I remember from our lawyers and what our own local PBS/NPR stations' disclaimers.
Michael
On Wed, 26 Jan 2005, James Linden wrote:
I say "Let 'em at 'em!" (That's Texas speak for "yes"). They aren't making any money off them per se, so I don't see a conflict of interest, etc.
But heck, that's just my $0.02 CAD!
-- James jlinden@projectgutenberg.ca
PS: Aaron, email your snail mail addy, I have a stack of PG CDs to send you.
Aaron Cannon wrote:
I received this message a few days ago. I sent it to Greg for his opinion, but either my messages aren't getting through, or he's been busy, as I haven't received a response.
Anyway, I thought I'd forward it to the list for discussion. Personally I don't see that there would be a problem, as long as the DVDs are given as gifts, and not sold. Nevertheless, what do the rest of you think?
"Hi Project Gutenberg folks,
First of all, thanks for all the wonderful work you do. I appreciate it so much.
I had a question about using Project Gutenberg's CDs or DVDs as "free" gifts in a membership drive for an advocacy group. I'm doing some work for Public Knowledge (a DC based advocacy group that lobbies for the public interest in intellectual property issues-- I'm sure you've crossed paths with them), and I'm helping them improve their online outreach and fundraising.
One of the things we'd like to do is let people show their support by becoming members. We'd like to offer people who donate gifts such as Public Knowledge t-shirts, or books like Lessig's "Free Culture", and we'd like for some of these items to be a celebration of Creative Commons licenses and the public domain. Along those lines, we're interested in giving members Project Gutenberg DVDs.
Would that be possible? Are there any rights issues? And what would be the best way to get a hundred or so copies that we could send out? If there's a suggested donation when copies of the CD are made, what kind of donation would you consider to be fair?
Thanks for you time, and I look forward to hearing from you,
-Holmes Wilson"
_______________________________________________ gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
_______________________________________________ gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
On Thu, 27 Jan 2005, Scott Schmucker wrote:
I am neither an accountant nor a lawyer, but my layman's understanding of this was that a donation of this sort would still be tax deductible, less the value of the goods that you received in return. For example, if I donated $100 to an organization and they gave me a stuffed animal valued at $5 in return, then I would be able to deduct $95 of this $100 donation. Is my understanding of this inaccurate?
I'm no authority, so I have a call in to our local PBS station to find out. mh
Scott
Michael Hart wrote:
One thing to remember, if the DVD are used as "premiums" such as is done with PBS/NPR membership drives, then they are legally regarded as being "sold" and the "donation" to PBS/NPR, etc., is no longer a "donation," and thus no longer tax deductible.
Thus the "fine print" concerning the "sale" of Project Gutenberg eBooks would legally apply.
However:
When our DVDs are truly given away free of charge, as has been done by various people at public libraries, the Internet Archive, etc., that is just fine, also as per the "fine print."
I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice, just what I remember from our lawyers and what our own local PBS/NPR stations' disclaimers.
Michael
On Wed, 26 Jan 2005, James Linden wrote:
I say "Let 'em at 'em!" (That's Texas speak for "yes"). They aren't making any money off them per se, so I don't see a conflict of interest, etc.
But heck, that's just my $0.02 CAD!
-- James jlinden@projectgutenberg.ca
PS: Aaron, email your snail mail addy, I have a stack of PG CDs to send you.
Aaron Cannon wrote:
I received this message a few days ago. I sent it to Greg for his opinion, but either my messages aren't getting through, or he's been busy, as I haven't received a response.
Anyway, I thought I'd forward it to the list for discussion. Personally I don't see that there would be a problem, as long as the DVDs are given as gifts, and not sold. Nevertheless, what do the rest of you think?
"Hi Project Gutenberg folks,
First of all, thanks for all the wonderful work you do. I appreciate it so much.
I had a question about using Project Gutenberg's CDs or DVDs as "free" gifts in a membership drive for an advocacy group. I'm doing some work for Public Knowledge (a DC based advocacy group that lobbies for the public interest in intellectual property issues-- I'm sure you've crossed paths with them), and I'm helping them improve their online outreach and fundraising.
One of the things we'd like to do is let people show their support by becoming members. We'd like to offer people who donate gifts such as Public Knowledge t-shirts, or books like Lessig's "Free Culture", and we'd like for some of these items to be a celebration of Creative Commons licenses and the public domain. Along those lines, we're interested in giving members Project Gutenberg DVDs.
Would that be possible? Are there any rights issues? And what would be the best way to get a hundred or so copies that we could send out? If there's a suggested donation when copies of the CD are made, what kind of donation would you consider to be fair?
Thanks for you time, and I look forward to hearing from you,
-Holmes Wilson"
_______________________________________________ gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
_______________________________________________ gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
_______________________________________________ gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
This begs the question, what value does the DVD have, if any? After all, the DVD is available for free on the internet. For example, if I give someone a piece of paper after they give my organization a donation, they don't necessarily have to deduct the value of the piece of paper because the monetary value of the item received is so small to make it moot. The same could be argued about the DVDs. That's my interpretation. Sincerely Aaron Cannon At 01:49 PM 1/27/2005, you wrote:
I am neither an accountant nor a lawyer, but my layman's understanding of this was that a donation of this sort would still be tax deductible, less the value of the goods that you received in return. For example, if I donated $100 to an organization and they gave me a stuffed animal valued at $5 in return, then I would be able to deduct $95 of this $100 donation. Is my understanding of this inaccurate?
Scott
Michael Hart wrote:
One thing to remember, if the DVD are used as "premiums" such as is done with PBS/NPR membership drives, then they are legally regarded as being "sold" and the "donation" to PBS/NPR, etc., is no longer a "donation," and thus no longer tax deductible.
Thus the "fine print" concerning the "sale" of Project Gutenberg eBooks would legally apply.
However:
When our DVDs are truly given away free of charge, as has been done by various people at public libraries, the Internet Archive, etc., that is just fine, also as per the "fine print."
I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice, just what I remember from our lawyers and what our own local PBS/NPR stations' disclaimers.
Michael
On Wed, 26 Jan 2005, James Linden wrote:
I say "Let 'em at 'em!" (That's Texas speak for "yes"). They aren't making any money off them per se, so I don't see a conflict of interest, etc.
But heck, that's just my $0.02 CAD!
-- James jlinden@projectgutenberg.ca
PS: Aaron, email your snail mail addy, I have a stack of PG CDs to send you.
Aaron Cannon wrote:
I received this message a few days ago. I sent it to Greg for his opinion, but either my messages aren't getting through, or he's been busy, as I haven't received a response.
Anyway, I thought I'd forward it to the list for discussion. Personally I don't see that there would be a problem, as long as the DVDs are given as gifts, and not sold. Nevertheless, what do the rest of you think?
"Hi Project Gutenberg folks,
First of all, thanks for all the wonderful work you do. I appreciate it so much.
I had a question about using Project Gutenberg's CDs or DVDs as "free" gifts in a membership drive for an advocacy group. I'm doing some work for Public Knowledge (a DC based advocacy group that lobbies for the public interest in intellectual property issues-- I'm sure you've crossed paths with them), and I'm helping them improve their online outreach and fundraising.
One of the things we'd like to do is let people show their support by becoming members. We'd like to offer people who donate gifts such as Public Knowledge t-shirts, or books like Lessig's "Free Culture", and we'd like for some of these items to be a celebration of Creative Commons licenses and the public domain. Along those lines, we're interested in giving members Project Gutenberg DVDs.
Would that be possible? Are there any rights issues? And what would be the best way to get a hundred or so copies that we could send out? If there's a suggested donation when copies of the CD are made, what kind of donation would you consider to be fair?
Thanks for you time, and I look forward to hearing from you,
-Holmes Wilson"
_______________________________________________ gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
_______________________________________________ gutvol-d mailing list gutvol-d@lists.pglaf.org http://lists.pglaf.org/listinfo.cgi/gutvol-d
-- E-mail: cannona@fireantproductions.com Skype: cannona MSN Messenger: cannona@hotmail.com (Do not send E-mail to the hotmail address.)
participants (5)
-
Aaron Cannon -
Greg Newby -
James Linden -
Michael Hart -
Scott Schmucker