Copyright attitudes

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Greetings in Jesus Name

There has been some mention of copyright material on this list that I
would like to comment on.

First let me say that I realize that we and the list owner have a moral
and legal obligation to obey the U.S. copyright laws. That question is
not open to debate.

I would like to ask a question about the Christian's attitude about
copyright material. Some time back, I wrote this list and ask if anyone
had any material that I could use on a Web Page. (I am a very poor
writer, but I wanted to put up a good page.) I stressed that I only be
sent original material with permission to use it. I never received any
replies.

I then wrote some people and Churches and ask if I could use some of
their material. I got NO from all, and some of them explained the
copyright law to me and said that they put traps in the material to
catch people using it.

The Bible says in Mat 10:8 (NKJ) "...Freely you have received, freely
give."

2 Cor 2:17 (NIV) Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for
profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity,
like men sent from God.

If God anoints someone to write the "Truth", why would a person say :it
is mine and you can't use it? If a person is anointed, they are not
really the author anyway.

If I go down to our Christian book store and buy a book, I can lend it
to as many as I like. I can give or lend it to the Church or public
library and they can lend it to as many as they wish. There is even a
copy machine in most public libraries where you can copy some or all of
the book.

When an author places a work on the internet, haven't they placed the
material in the world's largest public library? I know there will be
some that can explain the law. Forget that and explain the Christian's
attitude to me.

I love you all
Floyd E. Avery
feavery@prysm.net