ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Does anyone know how the law works relative to products and programs
developed for hands-on learning?

FOR EXAMPLE: it seems that the idea of building an electromagnet out of a
magnet, a wire, and a compass is out there for anyone to use.  No one owns the
idea.  Yet many publishers copyright books that contain that activity.  Is it
even POSSIBLE to own the idea?  What if you built one and packaged it for sale?

OR... If someone builds an interactive exhibit device that allows visitors to
experiment with properties of light, can they own the concept of such a
device?  If not... can they own the design for their own exhibit device (as a
patent)?  If they do, could they sue someone who build a similar device based on
their patented design?

OR...  If someone comes up with a really nifty new way to present science as
an afterschool program and develops a handbook and kit to support that
program....do they own the program?  Do they own copyright on the book?  What about
the kit?  And...  what if the kit includes "educational chestnuts" like
tangrams or water rockets?

I KNOW that many museums, in particular the exploratorium, seem to be in the
business of packaging and selling hands-on science -- but I don't grasp the
law behind it.  As a writer, I've asked the lawyers at Scholastic, and they seem
to think that most of the ideas are in the public domain.  But if that's true
-- then how can they be packaged and sold?

Thanks so much for your insights!

Lisa

Lisa Jo Rudy, Writer/Consultant
625 Chelten Hills Drive
Elkins Park, PA 19027
<A HREF="www.lisarudy.com">www.lisarudy.com</A>
215-635-9735









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