The Public Domain
Cataloging the Public Domain
So, given a repository for storing our public domain properties, what remains is a method of finding our common properties. That is the function of this organization. We are building an index to all known public domain content stored in the OFF System. It will provide ways to both search and add new PD properties as they become available.
The irony in such an endeavor is that the meta-data index is itself a creative work and therefore becomes automatically copyrighted.
“ He who hosts the repository, controls the repository.”
repository maxim
Heeding the repository maxim, we will place this index both legally into the public domain, and physically into The Public Domain repository. This makes the index available to everyone in perpetuity. In addition, it allows the index to be browsed and searched in complete anonymity.
The Dilemma: Censorship vs Anarchy
So what makes us qualified to do the vetting of submissions to our catalog? Won’t we just censor the material that we don’t like? Isn’t this just another example of the above maxim? On the other hand, if you allow everyone to add anything, won’t the index just be filled with spam?
Instead of deciding on the lesser of two evils, we found a middle ground. We are adopting both evils.
Any content can be added to the catalog, AND any number of vetting organizations can individually mark the content they deem worthy. This allows each of us the ability to decide which (if any) vetting organizations we trust. Our individual catalogs can then be filtered or weighted accordingly.
