posted on January 15, 2001 09:26:04 PM newKen, I have a transcript of the originally delivered speech in my files. The version you have posted is the original written text of the speech, minus the normal stumbles (minimized by Dr. King's incredible oratorical skills) endemic to a publicly delivered speech. An actual transcript may be found in the Congressional Record, and is freely available for reproduction.
Dr. King was, first and foremost, a man of God and the people. It was never his intent that his words be restricted in distribution; but rather, it was his mission, as that of any fine minister, to spread the word and hope that others would find both inspiration and answers within...that his sermons would bear repeating and survive review and analysis past Sunday dinner. NONE of Dr. King's public speeches are copyrighted, as they cannot reasonably be. Once delivered, they passed into the public domain, were reported, repeated and analyzed freely by the news media, and then captured in (public domain) documentation (written, or (in this case, also) videotape).
It's silly to suggest otherwise. As silly as requiring a link to JFK's "Ask not what your country can do for you..." inaugural speech. As silly as suggesting that the reporting of the president-elect's latest asinine soundbite or wordflub is a violation of *his* "intellectual property"...LOL!
posted on January 15, 2001 09:33:14 PM new
Oh I know that, Beth, but the King Institute (I think it was) IS attempting to restrict use without renumeration, so far with little or no success. In fact, their site, though it has an impressively titled "Licensing" section, has yet to place any methodology into that section whereby any license issue could be addressed.
posted on January 15, 2001 09:42:38 PM new
My kiddo recited a portion of the Declaration of Independence the other day, I wonder if she infringed on any copyrights??????
The speech brings tears to my eyes and I wish he was still here. Thank you for posting it krs.
posted on January 15, 2001 10:09:28 PM new
Hello everybody,
Since KRS has decided not to edit his post as requested, we are locking this thread. We will leave the thread in the forum in honor of Martin Luther King day, and because there is some doubt whether or not the speech is actually copyrighted.
We will decide how to approach this thread after I discuss it with legal counsel tomorrow.
posted on January 16, 2001 01:02:23 PM new
Diana,
Thank you for reopening this thread. It saved me from having to start another one in praise of Dr. King, Jr.
krs,
Thanks for starting it.
In my mind Martin Luther King, Jr. is the greatest person of our lifetime. I don't know how many times I voted for him on that poll last year. Can't remember which place it was.
His speech is also the greatest speech I have ever read or heard. I rank it higher than the Gettysburg Address.
To paraphrase what the said about Lincoln when he was assinated "He is now a man of the ages." I feel the same about Dr. King, Jr.
He is also "A man of the ages" and may his legacy never be forgotten or diminished.
posted on January 18, 2001 01:18:32 AM new
Guess I'd better get written permission before alluding to tilts at windmills. Apparently discretion is a quality disallowed here... I find the moderation and rationale so ridiculous I must question its motivation.
