4 ms·

Just modify the law so that databases of postal addresses are not copyrightable.

• throwway_278314 2y ago
  so modify the law to deprive an owner of their legal property which was given to them by the law? Not sure that's a precedent I'd want set in a common-law country, and not sure that would hold up to judicial review under common law. The government made a bone-headed mistake when they included the postal data as an asset in the sale. The solution is for them to admit their mistake and pay for it. It's fiat money anyway, so it doesn't really cost anything. Having them abuse their government power to cover up their mistake is not an approach I endorse. Not that this hasn't happened before, think postal scandal or yesterday's comments on the Hawke and Curacoa https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41285275 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41285275
  • incompatible 2y ago
    It would just be a change of law or regulations. Governments change these all the time, and sometimes it costs people or businesses money. In any case, nationalisation has a long history in the UK, so it would hardly be setting a precedent.
• psd1 2y ago
  I'm in favour, but that leaves RM holding a database of non-copyrightable addresses. One way or the other, a private asset must be either nationalised or compelled to be released. Gradual renationalisation of the rail network was in the manifesto. That's not particularly contentious, as rail franchises have fixed terms. But the manifesto is all about steadying the ship, and militant nationalisation risks spooking investors, so whether the government has any appetite to nationalise anything by fiat is questionable. Nonetheless, there's public support for renationalisation; and, for such a low-value asset, this might be a nice test of the waters.
• Aloisius 2y ago
  I'm surprised it is copyrightable. It wouldn't be in the US.