Re: [Phys-l] PSSC +- (c)

["M. Horton" <scitch@verizon.net>]

I'd be willing to convert the videos if someone has a copy to send.  If they 
are less than say 5 minutes each, I could convert them to FLV format and 
either put them on a Wiki or start a channel on YouTube and/or TeacherTube.

M. Horton

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ludwik Kowalski" <kowalskil@mail.montclair.edu>
To: "Forum for Physics Educators" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 6:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] PSSC +- (c)


1) On 5/24/2009 John Denker wrote:

“I find it outrageous that _PSSC Physics_ has been out of print for several 
years. How can such an important and well-beloved book go out of print? 
What's next? Is _The Joy of Cooking_ going to go out of print?

Even if you're not going to adopt it and give it to students, IMHO _PSSC 
Physics_ should be required reading for anybody who teaches (or is 
contemplating teaching) introductory physics.

_PSSC Physics_ has style. It has class. It approaches problems the way a 
physicist would approach them. . . .

I few years ago during the PSSC 50th anniversary celebrations I suggested to 
some AAPT and APS folks that it might be worth asking the copyright holders 
(Kendall/Hunt) to release all the PSSC copyrights into the public domain, 
donate them to APS, or some such. The folks thought it was a great idea, but 
AFAICT they never followed up on it. The last time I asked for an update 
they didn't even answer my email.

I still think it's worth a try.

It's not like the copyrights are contributing anything to the Kendall/Hunt 
bottom line as it is.”

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2) Bernard Cleyet responded

“I'm not a careful reader, so my thought is it's already passed into the 
public domain if it wasn't renewed timely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
United_States_copyright_law#Duration_of_copyright

Go to duration of copyrite (rites of passage)

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3) Then John Denker wrote:

“ *1) Initially, that struck me as an exceedingly implausible hypothesis. 
How could anybody "forget" to renew a copyright?

Also note that works first published in 1964 or later are protected for a 
very long term, whether or not renewed.


*2) On the other hand, I just now did some checking. I don't pretend to have 
fully mastered the facts or the law, but is sure looks like the first 
edition of the PSSC text, and many of the films, have passed into the public 
domain.

In contrast, later editions of the text (2nd through 7th) are still 
protected by copyright AFAICT, and will remain so for many decades.

*2a) Quoting from

http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ22.pdf

> Works First Published or Copyrighted Between January 1,
> 1950, and December 31, 1963 .... If not renewed, the
> copyright expired at the end of its 28th calendar year.

The first edition of the text came out in 1960. FWIW there were some 
preliminary versions before then. Many of the films came out in 1960 or 
thereabouts. The second edition of the text came out in 1965.

*2b) After searching official records via http://cocatalog.loc.gov/ I find 
no indication of renewal for the first edition text or for any of the films.

Note: I believe the title of the first edition was recorded as "Physics" not 
"PSSC Physics".

Note: If you want to see what a non-null result looks like, do the 
corresponding search for "Green Eggs and Ham" which was also first published 
in 1960. Note that the renewal (filed in 1988 of course) is listed by the 
web site under the year 1960. This makes it very easy to spot in the 
listing.

*3) Next step: We ought to get an actual expert to check the law and the 
facts on this.

Assuming that works out, then we should track down the cleanest available 
copies of the films, digitize them, and put them up on a high-bandwidth 
server somewhere. And/or put them on DVD.

Also scan the book and make it available in pdf and/or djvu format. It 
should be a no-brainer to get funding for this. Next year is the 50th 
anniversary of the first edition.

In particular: Does anybody on this list have a copy of the first edition of 
the text?

Maybe the current copyright holder (Kendall/Hunt) would cooperate with this 
project.

Maybe the MIT archives have clean masters or even negatives for the films.

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4) Ludwik Kowalski wrote: “I do have the 1960 book; it is in very good shape 
for scanning. Who is willing to scan the book (656 pages)?

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5) Joe Wise wrote:

“I could scan it over time. School is out in three weeks. I helped proof the 
6th edition with Uri.”

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I would be glad to send the copy of my book to Joe, for the purpose of 
scanning it. But scanning of 656 pages would be a lot of work. My suggestion 
is that either Joe, or someone else, asks for a written permission form the 
publisher (D.C. Heath and Company, Boston) if it exists, or from the company 
that absorbed it. Puting the file on a DVD would also need a permission; 
perhaps both permissions should be asked for at the same time. Let me know 
when all is ready.

It is a good idea to make this book available to as many teachers as 
possible. I never used it as a textbook. But I am reading it now and I agree 
that it a very valuable resource. Actually, I read parts of it before. 
Making the films (which match the book content) available would also be a 
worthwhile project.

“Physics” published by D.C. Heath and Company, under arrangement with 
Educational Services Incorporated. Copyright 1960 Educational Services 
Incorporated. No part of the material covered by this copyright may be 
reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.

Ludwik
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