Lawmaker, Convicted Of Raping Foster Kids, Claims Name Is Copyrighted So You Can't Report It
from the what-happens-when-you-teach-people-that-copyright-allows-ownership-of-words dept
A bunch of folks have sent in this story of former South Dakota state Rep. Ted Alvin Klaudt, who was convicted of raping his two foster daughters a couple years ago, and who is now claiming that his name is covered by copyright, so no one can report on it. More specifically, he's trying to claim a "common law copyright." Unfortunately for Mr. Klaudt, except in extremely limited circumstances, the US does not recognize "common law copyright." He's demanding written permission to use his name in a news report, and has apparently demanded anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million for each "unauthorized" use. Apparently Klaudt, despite having been a former lawmaker, is unfamiliar with the basics of the law. Perhaps he can use his time in prison -- where he will most likely be for quite some time -- to study up.Filed Under: common law copyright, copyright, reporting, ted alvin klaudt
