TradeMe manuals being sold for $50 are from the public domain for free

**theporkbonekid** · 19th October 2008, 19:37

Greetings to all fellow bikers, just remember that most manuals for classic motorcycles are free in the public domain. There is a foreigner that has entered our shores from down south who is taking advantage of a loop hole and is down loading PDF files. Printing, binding for $5 then selling them to joe public for $50. TradeMe has removed his endorsement and investigations have began. Honda and Suzuki not impressed...Stay tuned...

**xwhatsit** · 19th October 2008, 22:32

I'm not clued-up with all of this copyright stuff, but I didn't know there was an issue with selling stuff that is in the public domain -- I mean, second-hand book shops seem to be still able to sell Shakespeare plays OK.

I know in the world of open-source software, it's quite alright to sell open-source software at a price, especially if it's put onto a CD or something, as basically what you're doing is charging for the cost of the CD and distribution. That's what these guys might be saying -- sure, the text is public domain and free, but we're printing it and binding it so you can have a physical copy, and printing and binding costs money -- but $50 is excessive.

Seems like a bit of a rort, but I don't think it's fundamentally illegal, if the texts are really public domain... is it?

**theporkbonekid** · 20th October 2008, 07:24

Correct it is not illegal to use the public domain for public use. But to resell these items at a huge profit is unethical. There is a trademe trader down south who is a foreigner to our shores, taking advantage of a loop hole. I know HONDA is in litagation and Suzuki is about to do the same. Be different if this trader told you he was using the public domain. He even had trademe endorsement, until they got the hard word. Trademe do not bow down to anyone but the Police & Courts....

**CookMySock** · 20th October 2008, 07:36

The bottom line is the license, and law, fully allow him to do this. If the publisher had half a brain then they would use an appropriate license.

A word to the wise, though, quit complaining and go explore some loopholes yourself. Lots of people make money by exploring loopholes, and quite legally too, so don't cut your own arms off so quickly. Put some money in your pocket!

Steve

**theporkbonekid** · 20th October 2008, 07:52

No body is complaining, just educating fellow bikers. You make your own decision....

**theporkbonekid** · 20th October 2008, 08:01

It is wise to be thought a fool, than to open ones MOUTH and remove all doubt...A true word to the wise...

**oldskool** · 20th October 2008, 08:06

Greetings to all fellow bikers, just remember that most manuals for classic motorcycles are free in the public domain.

Thanks porkies, I didn't know you could download manuals for free, I've looked in the past but obviously not hard enuff! Bought original manuals or found answers on Thumpertalk... and surprisingly and disappointingly so, not a lot of mechanical know how from here? Is it because the real deals don't contribute or is this forum just full of market driven bunnies?

**theporkbonekid** · 20th October 2008, 08:29

http://motorbikemanuals.blogspot.com...a-manuals.html

Try for a few freebees, and yes I tend to agree with your comments...Cheers

**Tank** · 20th October 2008, 08:48

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

The bottom line is the license, and law, fully allow him to do this. If the publisher had half a brain then they would use an appropriate license.

A word to the wise, though, quit complaining and go explore some loopholes yourself. Lots of people make money by exploring loopholes, and quite legally too, so don't cut your own arms off so quickly. Put some money in your pocket!

Steve

complete and utter bullshit!!!!!!

The manuals are covered by copyright law - you are not allowed to takes oters work and sell it.

**theporkbonekid** · 20th October 2008, 08:49

Correct....Thanks mate

**The Pastor** · 20th October 2008, 10:22

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

The bottom line is the license, and law, fully allow him to do this. If the publisher had half a brain then they would use an appropriate license.

A word to the wise, though, quit complaining and go explore some loopholes yourself. Lots of people make money by exploring loopholes, and quite legally too, so don't cut your own arms off so quickly. Put some money in your pocket!

Steve

good lord........ every day

**CookMySock** · 20th October 2008, 10:37

Nope, if they are "free in the public domain" then they are just that. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU LIKE WITH THEM.

The public domain license is a completely stupid license, for reasons like this. There are much much better licenses to use, and it costs nothing. Go figure.

Gee you idiots get all heated up over the tiniest little tidbit that you can possibly rake up. Don't you have anything interesting to go and do?

Steve

**EJK** · 20th October 2008, 10:43

I went into Colemans Suzuki parts shop and asked for the price of the Owner's Manual for the FXR150...

They answered... $125

**xwhatsit** · 20th October 2008, 10:52

Not every manual is in the public domain -- as theporkbonekid said, a lot of really old ones are (I think many were never copyrighted in the first place), and certainly the Haynes, Clymer etc. manuals aren't in public domain (or won't be for another 50 years or so when the copyright expires).

No, I agree with what you're saying theporkbonekid, it is a bit lame that they're making that large a profit margin and not informing people that the manuals are in fact free. I wouldn't have a problem if they had said, the manuals are available free from here, but we've printed and bound a copy for you, here's the price.

**CookMySock** · 20th October 2008, 11:03

Originally Posted by xwhatsit

Not every manual is in the public domain

Of course.

Originally Posted by xwhatsit

it is a bit lame that they're making that large a profit margin and not informing people that the manuals are in fact free. I wouldn't have a problem if they had said, the manuals are available free from here, but we've printed and bound a copy for you, here's the price.

Yeah it IS a bit lame, but its also good business, and more power to them I reckon.

I'm always hearing from some angry brokeass individual about some well-off prick scamming money out of something perfectly legal, but the fact is, that is the reason why they are an angry brokeass individual, and the other person is a well-off prick.

I can go down to the plant shop too, and buy a fucken packet of tomato seeds and plant the the cunts, and make 100 times my money back selling seedlings. SO FUCKING WHAT???

Get a clue.

Steve