10/7/99

Dear friends,

Had a call from Tonia and Kathleen on speaker phone informing me of some "serious problems" related to translations and other copyrighted materials on the web--legal issues she told me.

It was a long, drawn out conversation and I was short with her on several occasions. She seemed to be concerned about the "perception" of no license with the Foundation among EC members.  I told her that the term license does not accurately reflect the agreement, that we are in compliance with the requests of the Foundation regarding using the text on the web.  I told her I would take no action on any of the issues she raise until I had the relevant questions/complaints from the trustees in writing.  Told her I did not understand why she was calling me (and I felt like she was trying to pin me down...several times I had to correct her when she put words in my mouth.)  She says she speaks for all five trustees, always has. I told her the call felt like harassment to me, since we are in compliance with their requests regarding the text on the web.

She suggested a meeting with the trustees next Friday morning.  Gard (and now I hear Mo) won't be there, and only Steve and I are available from the EC.  I have no problem giving George my ear, and perhaps that might help diffuse him, but told Tonia we will wait until we have their issues in writing.

This is all so tedious....if Tonia could only hear herself "protect" the revelation...the fact that we are in compliance means nothing.  They want a LICENSE for the translations (and I sensed the english text too, but Tonia got confused about that.)  I told her re-negotiating the current agreement would not be acceptable, but that we MAY be willing to send another letter agreeing to the same three criteria for the authorized translations.

Also, she told me that The Foundation owns the copyright on the Sadler materials and wants them removed, or LICENSED. Is this so?  I thought the materials were in the public domain...

Dan, I think you should call her.  Grill her a bit for me, will ya? Just kidding.  We will wait for them to document their control issues, once again. (Then Dan can grill her, if she sends the letter under her own name.)  You can see what kind of mood this call was able to rise in me.  I'll be better tomorrow.

See you soon.

Love,

Janet