Bruce, There was one person that stated emphatically that it was illegal and a number of people accepted or agreed with him. I did not identify or quote him so as not to point a finger and embarrass him. If that person chooses to respond that is his choice. You can look back in your deleted messages with this subject from this past Saturday and find it If you don't have it, I will be glad to forward it. Richard -----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bruce Toews Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 2:05 PM To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bookport] Re: FW: Web Braille I don't recall anyone on the list saying that using the Book Port with Web Braille was illegal. bruce -- Bruce Toews Skype ID: o.canada E-mail and MSN/Windows Messenger: DogRiver@xxxxxxxx LiveJournal: http://brucetola.livejournal.com Radio Show and Podcast: http://www.totw.net Web Site (including info on my weekly commentaries): http://www.ogts.net Info on the Best TV Show of All Time: http://www.cornergas.com On Mon, 18 Jun 2007, Richard Benoit wrote: > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Richard Benoit [mailto:reb503@xxxxxxxxxxx] > Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 10:46 AM > To: 'bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx' > Subject: Web Braille > > Hi, > > The opinion seems to be evenly split as to the legality of using it on > the Bookport. This is like flipping a coin to get a yes or no answer. > Some of these opinions, particularly the ones that declared that it was > illegal, were stated authoritatively. As it turns out, these are the > ones that are wrong. This has the effect of making this list a source > of misinformation. In the future I hope these people will have some > actual facts, and state their source, before trying to guide the rest of > us. > > The original thread with this subject was started by Barbara, who said > that her librarian, in so many words, told her ta to read Web Braille > in text, was illegal, but this is not what Barbara intended to do. > This was simply an inadvertent use of the word "text", that was > misinterpreted to mean converting the .brf file to printed text. > According to the librarain's understanding, this was indeed illegal. > > I did a little research on the NLS website and also searches the > copyright laws and was unable, with any certainty, to make a > determination as to the legality of using Web Braille on the Bookport. > After all, how much time is this worth, anyway. My gut feeling is > that it is not a violation of our agreement with NLS or of the copyright > laws. Then I did what I should have from the start. > > I called the Braille and Talking Book Library in Daytona Beach, Florida > and talked to my reader advisor, She had no answers and connected me > with a librarian. > > The answer I received is: It is **definitely** not illegal in any way > as long as it iis for our own use. It is illegal to print the material. > She was familiar with the Bookport and it's capability to read .brf > files in synthesized speech. The Bookport, being and accessible device, > is an appropriate and legal way to use Web Braille. > > No more guilt ! > > As far as I am concerned, this is the final word on this subject. If > anyone has doubts, I suggest that you contact your own librarian or NLS > directly. > > Richard > -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.9.0/852 - Release Date: 6/17/2007 8:23 AM