Mike pointed out an interesting article, I thought this part was dy-no-mite:
Oh, and try copyrighting your Social Security number too. Then you can sue the IRS for using it – they are not permitted to use it by law, you know. You have to pay them, why shouldn’t they have to pay you?I'd gladly be the test case (like Eldred) for such an idea. Though, I have my doubts that anyone would rule in my favor as they would be eliminating State revenue, a clandestine event that probably would never happen this side of the Apocalypse.
Poetic justice?
Posted by Tim at June 27, 2003 01:20 AM | TrackBackZERO COOL!
Posted by: Mike at June 27, 2003 01:22 AMHowever, one major flaw is fair use. The IRS could simply claim that they only use the number in reference to you and only you, not claiming the number as there own and only using it for reference purposes. Thus they could claim fair use and get off scot free with no problem.
However, you could maybe find something in the DMCA to sue them over...
Posted by: Zsubnot at June 27, 2003 03:53 PMWhile I have not seen a direct provision or amendment to the DMCA (aside from librarians and archives), a blatant double-standard can be seen with respects to the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and 'Intellectual Property' protection as a whole.
On one hand it is "evil" to have a non-State approved monopoly, however, so as long as the State OK's it (like a patent), no problemo.
Posted by: Tim Swanson at June 27, 2003 05:04 PM