What we collect!

 

Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps



What we collect!
What we collect!


General Philatelic/Supplies, Literature & Software : Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

 

Author
Postings
clivel
Members Picture


15 May 2019
03:35:57pm
SG has announced the availability of their catalogues in PDF form.

SG Digital Catalogues

There is a reasonable saving over the printed version, e.g the 2019 Commonwealth & British Empire Stamp Catalogue is £62.95 digital compared to £89.95 printed.
However, for those of us in the colonies, the real saving is on postage.

Hopefully, rampant piracy will not force them to put an end to the digital offerings.
Clive

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"AlbumEasy - Free software for creating custom stamp album pages"

www.thestampweb.com/albumeasy
sheepshanks
Members Picture


16 May 2019
01:59:34pm
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Purchased the GB QE2 last night. So far unable to get to where the PDF is stored, no link in email. Feedback link inoperative.
Email to customer service, their reply says;

Accessing Digital Online Publications

1. Sign into your Stanley Gibbons account
2. Under My Account (on left hand side), select ONLINE PUBLICATIONS
3. Click VIEW ONLINE
4. Dropdown list on left hand side, select catalogues category - ie Commonwealth etc and catalogues under that category will appear.
5. Find the catalogue you have ordered
6. Hover over that catalogue and you should see READ appear (if you see Preview or Buy you have not ordered that catalogue)
7. Click READ and you will then be into your catalogue.

Pointed out to them that I purchased as "Guest", still awaiting reply. Probably all gone home now.
Unable to log in with old account details, created new account, still says no purchases.
Would seem that it is not going to be a download but file kept on their server or maybe I'm wrong. Unable to tell until I can see something. Not a good experience so far, apart from no visuals of the catalogue pages or year of edition on the website which I fail to understand from a marketing viewpoint.
Will update when I get further.

Like
Login to Like
this post
angore
Members Picture


Collector, Moderator

17 May 2019
06:00:43am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Does this payment process apply to just subscribe to SGSM?

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
sheepshanks
Members Picture


17 May 2019
08:41:05am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Reply from SG confirming what Chris has stated above "Unfortunately, as you have ordered the catalogue using the 'Guest' facility, the download will not work. Although this is mentioned in the discription, it is not highlighted - and we will be looking to make this clearer."
Personally I do not recall seeing it in the description but why did the system allow me to purchase it in the first place, basic coding issue.
They are refunding my payment but if I am unable to download the whole pdf to my computer to work from not sure I want to purchase anything.
With restricted satellite internet and frequent dropout, having to maintain a live connection will be a pain.
Seems like another ill conceived plan from SG.

Like
Login to Like
this post
sheepshanks
Members Picture


17 May 2019
08:41:12pm
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

I already had, still have, an account with Gibbons but it would not allow me to log in, and as it accepted my purchase as a guest I did not go any further.
Sorry but nowhere on their sales site did it state that the PDF would only be available online, I reckon that is dubious sales practise at best.
From their website,

"the possibility to access generations of philatelic expertise at the touch of a finger with instant downloads"


"You can now access our world famous Stamp Catalogues PDF’s on your desktop, mobile or tablet"


I note they have now highlighted the opening text that states not available to guests, but a guest can still buy the pdf as the sales page is still allowing you to add to cart.
I find it strange in a business world that a seller would not want to have my money in their till instead of in my pocket. Unable to imagine Walmart saying sorry unless you sign up for an account we are not selling you anything.


Like
Login to Like
this post
michael78651
Members Picture


17 May 2019
09:09:52pm
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Scott and Gibbons - two philatelic companies from the beginning, and which are VERY reluctant and resistant to change. Will they be future dinosaurs?

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/store/the-online-stamp-shop
angore
Members Picture


Collector, Moderator

18 May 2019
06:12:12am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Words on a screen is not an excuse for poor interface design that allows one to do something not allowed.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
snowy12
Members Picture


18 May 2019
06:29:03am

Auctions
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

I went to order a pdf but got lost in a maze of questions that had nothing to do with my download .And there was no information on the digital download at all.
I emailed SG with my concerns and received a nice reply ,saying this was a work in progress and they were working on updates to it.
I'll try again in a couple of weeks and see if it's improved.
Brian

Like
Login to Like
this post
clivel
Members Picture


18 May 2019
10:36:22am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

"Scott and Gibbons - two philatelic companies from the beginning, and which are VERY reluctant and resistant to change. Will they be future dinosaurs?"


So true!

Unfortunately, I think that the future of the hobby, in the English speaking world at any rate, is tied up with the wellbeing of these two companies. Without Scott in North America and GB in the Commonwealth I think that stamp collecting would have a rapid decline.

So despite missteps, annoyances and general incompetence, I try to buy a new "Commonwealth & Empire" or "Southern and Central Africa" catalogue every few years. Just my little bit towards the survival of a company that seems hell bent on destroying itself.
Clive

Like
Login to Like
this post

"AlbumEasy - Free software for creating custom stamp album pages"

www.thestampweb.com/albumeasy
51Studebaker
Members Picture


Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't

18 May 2019
10:53:30am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

"Without Scott in North America and GB in the Commonwealth I think that stamp collecting would have a rapid decline."



Hi Clive!
Ah, ye of little faith! Happy

I have confidence that if a vacuum were to develop from large players dying on the vine; entrepreneurship, innovation, and opportunity would quickly backfill the void.

In fact, I would expect new development to begin rapidly since the existing threat of copyright violations has been hung over the heads of many people during the last 25 years. (Actually catalog numbers are not copyrighted but the publishers have done a good job of scaring folks.)
Don

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org
angore
Members Picture


Collector, Moderator

18 May 2019
04:24:00pm
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

The fear of court costs is a deterrent. Even Krause's lawsuit ended in a settlement and they supposedly had a top IP lawyer.

Even if Scott or SG went under, someone would buy the assets and do something with it. I suspect no matter what that US collectors would use Scott numbers for already issued stamps unless some major change. It is about future issues.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
51Studebaker
Members Picture


Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't

18 May 2019
05:12:34pm
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

"The fear of court costs is a deterrent. Even Krause's lawsuit ended in a settlement and they supposedly had a top IP lawyer..."



Anyone can bring a law suit against you at any time and I am unsure of the details in the Krause lawsuit which clearly was about commercial use. (For example, what, if any, contract(s) may have been in place between the parties regarding the numbering system.)

What I was posting about was the issue where it was common for non-commercial websites to receive 'cease and desist' legal letters flowing from catalog publishers claiming copyright on a numbering system.

I know for a fact that this type of legal saber rattling has previously had a chilling effect on various philatelic projects. Clearly some catalog publishers felt it a higher priority to try to chase hobbyists around than to work towards a effective digital transition.

While I certain appreciate the marketing and other promotional value that the catalog publishers brought to the hobby; in my opinion some things they were also doing had a very negative impact.
Don

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org
angore
Members Picture


Collector, Moderator

19 May 2019
06:51:38am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

They definitely go after everyone. Amos considers certain non-commercial use a threat to their commercial business and we have laws on fair use. They likely feel it can be a slippery slope on controlling non-commercial use. I am not defending their actions but noting their motivations.

Their best protection is actually to create a better product but seem stuck with digital offerings that are little more than a rendering of the printed page. The question is why - lack of expertise, do not see quick revenue, not willing to invest the money to do the conversion, etc.


Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
sheepshanks
Members Picture


19 May 2019
09:13:57am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Not being very tech savvy would it not be possible to identify each pdf with a unique code ( like that in vehicle paint or printers) that would lead back to the original purchaser of the file.
The web crawlers are fairly proficient at picking out offered items and really only the major selling platforms are likely to be used by fraudsters who need a vast market to make it worthwhile.
As I said earlier it seems to be ill conceived and rushed and obviously not properly tested before being released to Joe public.

Like
Login to Like
this post
51Studebaker
Members Picture


Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't

19 May 2019
09:46:01am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Yes, there are many ‘document control’ solutions, an entire industry as a matter of fact. Some of them are so secure that you literally ‘install’ the PDF to your computer and it will only ever open and display on that computer. All of these solutions are very expensive, especially with the support required. (These types of document security easily triple your support costs.) I assume that this is the reason that philatelic publishers do not use them.

But what is the point? Are hard copy publishing also fearful of photocopy machines? Scanners? I can scan a hardcopy catalog and have it posted on a 'dark web' website in Kathmandu or Ukraine in a few hours. No philatelic publisher has the resources to try to chase something that like down half way around the world (even if they had a technical expertise).

In my opinion companies who say that they are sticking with hard copy for security reasons are just making excuses for not changing.

There is one simple solution. You cannot compete with the internet. Figure out how to transition to being an online publisher. Not only do people want their information when and where they want it, but the cost of paper is going to continue to grow. Additionally, they need to reach customers across the globe. What kind of business plan is 'lets cut down trees so we can print a catalog and then ship the heavy paper half way around the globe'?

I love my books, I love my small library in my house. But any IT person/content delivery company with any common sense realized the game changed about 20 years ago. The fact that we still have philatelic publishers struggling to deal with transition is a sign that they are not going to make it.
Don

Like 
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org
sheepshanks
Members Picture


20 May 2019
09:23:04am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

From Wikipedia regarding the Krause lawsuit.

"Because of its commercial importance the publishers of the Scott Catalogue claim copyright on their numbering systems, and grant only limited licences for their use by others. The inconsistency with which Scott enforced these licences resulted in a lawsuit by Krause Publications (publishers of the Minkus Catalogue) for copyright infringement. After Krause filed a defence the suit was settled out of court, and Krause continued to reference the Scott numbers. It has been speculated that Scott was not successful. "



Here is a link to the Linns article.
https://web.archive.org/web/20120210035330/http://www.stamps.net/opinion6.htm

Like
Login to Like
this post
angore
Members Picture


Collector, Moderator

20 May 2019
10:20:24am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

If I recall, Krause did create a separate printed cross reference but was not part of the main catalog as originally done so there were limits on usage.

The aspect that go me was them being flexible in licensing. We know they have denied usage to some people after this.


Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
51Studebaker
Members Picture


Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't

20 May 2019
11:05:05am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

The inconsistency of the licensing is only part of the issue.

Catalog numbers lack originality and as such are not entitled to copyright protection. Anyone who wants to start a stamp catalog numbering system would most likely start with #1 in chronological order. The absence of creativity is a critical attribute of any typical numbering system that simply increments a number with each additional stamp.

There is legal precedence for companies trying to copyright a catalog/part numbering system (which even included ‘intelligent’ numbering) and the court ruled that is was not copyrightable. (i.e. Southco Inc. v. Kanebridge Corp.).

It only makes sense that trying to copyright a number or alphabet-based catalog identifiers would require a 'high creativity bar' to be covered. If it were not, than generating a new identification numbering system would be almost impossible since decades of existing numbering system would already be in place.

I fully support the copyright laws and intellectual property rights; I think they are critical in allowing innovation and entrepreneurship to thrive. But copyrights only cover original, creative works; assigning incremental numbers does not meet that criteria.
Don

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org
michael78651
Members Picture


21 May 2019
12:29:36am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Since Amos Media owns Scott, and bought Minkus, kind of a moot point. Now the issue should be with Amos Media buying out so many philatelic firms, when does monopoly come to play? You can see the results by the ridiculous rise in prices of philatelic items sold by Amos.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/store/the-online-stamp-shop
angore
Members Picture


Collector, Moderator

21 May 2019
08:05:26am
re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

The Krause lawsuit had the opportunity to settle it but it did not. What Krause did after was not that significant to me so despite what the article said Scott did prevail more than Krause.

Of course, any behavior changes out of the settlement would have to enforced in yet another court case that will likely never happen.

The world can move on and build a better mousetrap.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
        

 

Author/Postings
Members Picture
clivel

15 May 2019
03:35:57pm

SG has announced the availability of their catalogues in PDF form.

SG Digital Catalogues

There is a reasonable saving over the printed version, e.g the 2019 Commonwealth & British Empire Stamp Catalogue is £62.95 digital compared to £89.95 printed.
However, for those of us in the colonies, the real saving is on postage.

Hopefully, rampant piracy will not force them to put an end to the digital offerings.
Clive

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"AlbumEasy - Free software for creating custom stamp album pages"

www.thestampweb.com/ ...
Members Picture
sheepshanks

16 May 2019
01:59:34pm

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Purchased the GB QE2 last night. So far unable to get to where the PDF is stored, no link in email. Feedback link inoperative.
Email to customer service, their reply says;

Accessing Digital Online Publications

1. Sign into your Stanley Gibbons account
2. Under My Account (on left hand side), select ONLINE PUBLICATIONS
3. Click VIEW ONLINE
4. Dropdown list on left hand side, select catalogues category - ie Commonwealth etc and catalogues under that category will appear.
5. Find the catalogue you have ordered
6. Hover over that catalogue and you should see READ appear (if you see Preview or Buy you have not ordered that catalogue)
7. Click READ and you will then be into your catalogue.

Pointed out to them that I purchased as "Guest", still awaiting reply. Probably all gone home now.
Unable to log in with old account details, created new account, still says no purchases.
Would seem that it is not going to be a download but file kept on their server or maybe I'm wrong. Unable to tell until I can see something. Not a good experience so far, apart from no visuals of the catalogue pages or year of edition on the website which I fail to understand from a marketing viewpoint.
Will update when I get further.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
angore

Collector, Moderator
17 May 2019
06:00:43am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Does this payment process apply to just subscribe to SGSM?

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
sheepshanks

17 May 2019
08:41:05am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Reply from SG confirming what Chris has stated above "Unfortunately, as you have ordered the catalogue using the 'Guest' facility, the download will not work. Although this is mentioned in the discription, it is not highlighted - and we will be looking to make this clearer."
Personally I do not recall seeing it in the description but why did the system allow me to purchase it in the first place, basic coding issue.
They are refunding my payment but if I am unable to download the whole pdf to my computer to work from not sure I want to purchase anything.
With restricted satellite internet and frequent dropout, having to maintain a live connection will be a pain.
Seems like another ill conceived plan from SG.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
sheepshanks

17 May 2019
08:41:12pm

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

I already had, still have, an account with Gibbons but it would not allow me to log in, and as it accepted my purchase as a guest I did not go any further.
Sorry but nowhere on their sales site did it state that the PDF would only be available online, I reckon that is dubious sales practise at best.
From their website,

"the possibility to access generations of philatelic expertise at the touch of a finger with instant downloads"


"You can now access our world famous Stamp Catalogues PDF’s on your desktop, mobile or tablet"


I note they have now highlighted the opening text that states not available to guests, but a guest can still buy the pdf as the sales page is still allowing you to add to cart.
I find it strange in a business world that a seller would not want to have my money in their till instead of in my pocket. Unable to imagine Walmart saying sorry unless you sign up for an account we are not selling you anything.


Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
michael78651

17 May 2019
09:09:52pm

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Scott and Gibbons - two philatelic companies from the beginning, and which are VERY reluctant and resistant to change. Will they be future dinosaurs?

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
angore

Collector, Moderator
18 May 2019
06:12:12am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Words on a screen is not an excuse for poor interface design that allows one to do something not allowed.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
snowy12

18 May 2019
06:29:03am

Auctions

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

I went to order a pdf but got lost in a maze of questions that had nothing to do with my download .And there was no information on the digital download at all.
I emailed SG with my concerns and received a nice reply ,saying this was a work in progress and they were working on updates to it.
I'll try again in a couple of weeks and see if it's improved.
Brian

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
clivel

18 May 2019
10:36:22am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

"Scott and Gibbons - two philatelic companies from the beginning, and which are VERY reluctant and resistant to change. Will they be future dinosaurs?"


So true!

Unfortunately, I think that the future of the hobby, in the English speaking world at any rate, is tied up with the wellbeing of these two companies. Without Scott in North America and GB in the Commonwealth I think that stamp collecting would have a rapid decline.

So despite missteps, annoyances and general incompetence, I try to buy a new "Commonwealth & Empire" or "Southern and Central Africa" catalogue every few years. Just my little bit towards the survival of a company that seems hell bent on destroying itself.
Clive

Like
Login to Like
this post

"AlbumEasy - Free software for creating custom stamp album pages"

www.thestampweb.com/ ...
Members Picture
51Studebaker

Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't
18 May 2019
10:53:30am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

"Without Scott in North America and GB in the Commonwealth I think that stamp collecting would have a rapid decline."



Hi Clive!
Ah, ye of little faith! Happy

I have confidence that if a vacuum were to develop from large players dying on the vine; entrepreneurship, innovation, and opportunity would quickly backfill the void.

In fact, I would expect new development to begin rapidly since the existing threat of copyright violations has been hung over the heads of many people during the last 25 years. (Actually catalog numbers are not copyrighted but the publishers have done a good job of scaring folks.)
Don

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org
Members Picture
angore

Collector, Moderator
18 May 2019
04:24:00pm

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

The fear of court costs is a deterrent. Even Krause's lawsuit ended in a settlement and they supposedly had a top IP lawyer.

Even if Scott or SG went under, someone would buy the assets and do something with it. I suspect no matter what that US collectors would use Scott numbers for already issued stamps unless some major change. It is about future issues.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
51Studebaker

Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't
18 May 2019
05:12:34pm

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

"The fear of court costs is a deterrent. Even Krause's lawsuit ended in a settlement and they supposedly had a top IP lawyer..."



Anyone can bring a law suit against you at any time and I am unsure of the details in the Krause lawsuit which clearly was about commercial use. (For example, what, if any, contract(s) may have been in place between the parties regarding the numbering system.)

What I was posting about was the issue where it was common for non-commercial websites to receive 'cease and desist' legal letters flowing from catalog publishers claiming copyright on a numbering system.

I know for a fact that this type of legal saber rattling has previously had a chilling effect on various philatelic projects. Clearly some catalog publishers felt it a higher priority to try to chase hobbyists around than to work towards a effective digital transition.

While I certain appreciate the marketing and other promotional value that the catalog publishers brought to the hobby; in my opinion some things they were also doing had a very negative impact.
Don

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org
Members Picture
angore

Collector, Moderator
19 May 2019
06:51:38am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

They definitely go after everyone. Amos considers certain non-commercial use a threat to their commercial business and we have laws on fair use. They likely feel it can be a slippery slope on controlling non-commercial use. I am not defending their actions but noting their motivations.

Their best protection is actually to create a better product but seem stuck with digital offerings that are little more than a rendering of the printed page. The question is why - lack of expertise, do not see quick revenue, not willing to invest the money to do the conversion, etc.


Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
sheepshanks

19 May 2019
09:13:57am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Not being very tech savvy would it not be possible to identify each pdf with a unique code ( like that in vehicle paint or printers) that would lead back to the original purchaser of the file.
The web crawlers are fairly proficient at picking out offered items and really only the major selling platforms are likely to be used by fraudsters who need a vast market to make it worthwhile.
As I said earlier it seems to be ill conceived and rushed and obviously not properly tested before being released to Joe public.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
51Studebaker

Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't
19 May 2019
09:46:01am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Yes, there are many ‘document control’ solutions, an entire industry as a matter of fact. Some of them are so secure that you literally ‘install’ the PDF to your computer and it will only ever open and display on that computer. All of these solutions are very expensive, especially with the support required. (These types of document security easily triple your support costs.) I assume that this is the reason that philatelic publishers do not use them.

But what is the point? Are hard copy publishing also fearful of photocopy machines? Scanners? I can scan a hardcopy catalog and have it posted on a 'dark web' website in Kathmandu or Ukraine in a few hours. No philatelic publisher has the resources to try to chase something that like down half way around the world (even if they had a technical expertise).

In my opinion companies who say that they are sticking with hard copy for security reasons are just making excuses for not changing.

There is one simple solution. You cannot compete with the internet. Figure out how to transition to being an online publisher. Not only do people want their information when and where they want it, but the cost of paper is going to continue to grow. Additionally, they need to reach customers across the globe. What kind of business plan is 'lets cut down trees so we can print a catalog and then ship the heavy paper half way around the globe'?

I love my books, I love my small library in my house. But any IT person/content delivery company with any common sense realized the game changed about 20 years ago. The fact that we still have philatelic publishers struggling to deal with transition is a sign that they are not going to make it.
Don

Like 
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org
Members Picture
sheepshanks

20 May 2019
09:23:04am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

From Wikipedia regarding the Krause lawsuit.

"Because of its commercial importance the publishers of the Scott Catalogue claim copyright on their numbering systems, and grant only limited licences for their use by others. The inconsistency with which Scott enforced these licences resulted in a lawsuit by Krause Publications (publishers of the Minkus Catalogue) for copyright infringement. After Krause filed a defence the suit was settled out of court, and Krause continued to reference the Scott numbers. It has been speculated that Scott was not successful. "



Here is a link to the Linns article.
https://web.archive.org/web/20120210035330/http://www.stamps.net/opinion6.htm

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
angore

Collector, Moderator
20 May 2019
10:20:24am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

If I recall, Krause did create a separate printed cross reference but was not part of the main catalog as originally done so there were limits on usage.

The aspect that go me was them being flexible in licensing. We know they have denied usage to some people after this.


Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
Members Picture
51Studebaker

Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't
20 May 2019
11:05:05am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

The inconsistency of the licensing is only part of the issue.

Catalog numbers lack originality and as such are not entitled to copyright protection. Anyone who wants to start a stamp catalog numbering system would most likely start with #1 in chronological order. The absence of creativity is a critical attribute of any typical numbering system that simply increments a number with each additional stamp.

There is legal precedence for companies trying to copyright a catalog/part numbering system (which even included ‘intelligent’ numbering) and the court ruled that is was not copyrightable. (i.e. Southco Inc. v. Kanebridge Corp.).

It only makes sense that trying to copyright a number or alphabet-based catalog identifiers would require a 'high creativity bar' to be covered. If it were not, than generating a new identification numbering system would be almost impossible since decades of existing numbering system would already be in place.

I fully support the copyright laws and intellectual property rights; I think they are critical in allowing innovation and entrepreneurship to thrive. But copyrights only cover original, creative works; assigning incremental numbers does not meet that criteria.
Don

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Current Score... Don 1 - Cancer 0"

stampsmarter.org
Members Picture
michael78651

21 May 2019
12:29:36am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

Since Amos Media owns Scott, and bought Minkus, kind of a moot point. Now the issue should be with Amos Media buying out so many philatelic firms, when does monopoly come to play? You can see the results by the ridiculous rise in prices of philatelic items sold by Amos.

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
angore

Collector, Moderator
21 May 2019
08:05:26am

re: Stanley Gibbons Goes Digitial

The Krause lawsuit had the opportunity to settle it but it did not. What Krause did after was not that significant to me so despite what the article said Scott did prevail more than Krause.

Of course, any behavior changes out of the settlement would have to enforced in yet another court case that will likely never happen.

The world can move on and build a better mousetrap.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Stamp Collecting is a many splendored thing"
        

Contact Webmaster | Visitors Online | Unsubscribe Emails | Facebook


User Agreement

Copyright © 2024 Stamporama.com