posted 20 August 1999 03:23 PM            

If all the companies that pass around copies of interpretations, not to mention those that have them on their intranet, are sued for copyright infringement - heck - 'nuff said...

Most interesting especially is that the portion of QS9000 which was posted was from the obsolete version - it was posted to give people a 'flavour' for what QS9000 is. I get calls with regularity asking 'What is this QS9000 that I'm being required to do?' Figured this would be better than an explaination, but I guess Beth doesn't agree.

Oh well - for your amazement, Beth's followup e-mail threat follows:

Subject: QS-9000 Copyright violation
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1999 16:36:42 -0400
From: [email protected]
To: Marc
CC: [email protected]

Marc T. Smith:

As per my email to you dated April 30, 1999, and my conversation with you today, August 20, 1999, you are to immediately remove the DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors Quality System Requirements, QS-9000 manual text from your website. The QS-9000 manual is the intellectual (sic) property of DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors, and is copyright-protected. Under copyright law, the QS-9000 or any QS-9000 extract, may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission. Any reproduction may be subject to royalty payment(s) and/or licensing agreement. Violators will be prosecuted.

Your placement of QS-9000, ISO/TS 16949, IASG Sanctioned Interpretations, or any other DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors quality manual on your website is unauthorized and is considered copyright infringement. The Automotive Industry Action Group, AIAG, on behalf of DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors, is demanding the material be removed immediately. Per our August 20 conversation you indicated the material would be removed today (in 30 minutes). If AIAG, or the Big 3, find this material, or any other Big 3 material, is not removed, or reappears on your website, legal action will be immediately pursued. If this email is not clear to you or you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call. I can be reached at(248)358-3253 or send me an email. Thank you for giving this matter your prompt attention.

Elizabeth E. Baker
AIAG, Director of Quality Initiatives