Good afternoon All…
Firstly, please forgive me if the following is an everyday practice, or, if the subject has already been thrashed out elsewhere.
I’ve often found myself protecting things over the years and I know for a fact that it’s cost me a pretty penny. So, when a friend published a genealogy book recently, I became interested in how she went about protecting the content. I was surprised by her reply !
“Simple really and nearly free” she replied ! “I photocopied the whole book then sent it to myself using a registered envelope, accompanied with a signed PROOF of RECEPTION. The envelope must be well closed using strong sticky-tape and in places, signed over the tape and envelope. This is done in order to show that the contents have never been tampered with since the date of posting.
The packet then arrives the next day; just sign the reception ticket…, BUT NEVER OPEN IT”!
The legal philosophy here is that if by any misfortune she finds that someone has copied the contents of her book, then she can visit a Justice of the Peace, (‘notaire’) ask him/her to open the envelope and confirm the contents have not been tampered with since the postal date.
This then becomes a legal document with which she can contact a solicitor and take the issue to court.
Ever since, when sending ‘precious’ papers to suspect friends, I now use this system. (usually two or three pages) I have three of them so far gathering dust and I’ll probably have a few more before the end of the year.
So, to my question… Is this a global strategy and does it have any flaws ?
I’ve noticed something on this Forum where a % of members are reticent to go into details about what they’ve written.
Using this system could put writers at ease and more to the point, would certainly make thieves think twice before stealing other people’s precious work.
Points of view would be appreciated:
PS I only have the legal explanations of the system in French:
http://www.wiki-compta.com/lettre_recommandee_avec_avis_de_reception_en_france.php
Firstly, please forgive me if the following is an everyday practice, or, if the subject has already been thrashed out elsewhere.
I’ve often found myself protecting things over the years and I know for a fact that it’s cost me a pretty penny. So, when a friend published a genealogy book recently, I became interested in how she went about protecting the content. I was surprised by her reply !
“Simple really and nearly free” she replied ! “I photocopied the whole book then sent it to myself using a registered envelope, accompanied with a signed PROOF of RECEPTION. The envelope must be well closed using strong sticky-tape and in places, signed over the tape and envelope. This is done in order to show that the contents have never been tampered with since the date of posting.
The packet then arrives the next day; just sign the reception ticket…, BUT NEVER OPEN IT”!
The legal philosophy here is that if by any misfortune she finds that someone has copied the contents of her book, then she can visit a Justice of the Peace, (‘notaire’) ask him/her to open the envelope and confirm the contents have not been tampered with since the postal date.
This then becomes a legal document with which she can contact a solicitor and take the issue to court.
Ever since, when sending ‘precious’ papers to suspect friends, I now use this system. (usually two or three pages) I have three of them so far gathering dust and I’ll probably have a few more before the end of the year.
So, to my question… Is this a global strategy and does it have any flaws ?
I’ve noticed something on this Forum where a % of members are reticent to go into details about what they’ve written.
Using this system could put writers at ease and more to the point, would certainly make thieves think twice before stealing other people’s precious work.
Points of view would be appreciated:
PS I only have the legal explanations of the system in French:
http://www.wiki-compta.com/lettre_recommandee_avec_avis_de_reception_en_france.php
) He will then react in accordance !
