Petra, first, I feel that the most important thing to remember here is the fact that earthquakes destroy the lives of large numbers of people around the world every year. And for that reason, anything which might help government and disaster response officials and scientists to predict them should be made known to them in any reasonable way possible. If “ear tone” data can be used to help us predict earthquakes then I feel that this is appropriate.

Next, it has been my observation that many people who are attempting to forecast earthquakes tend to worry excessively that someone else will use their data or methodology and that they will not get credit for it. It has also been my observation which I have discussed here in the past that there actually does not appear to me to be much interest out there in anyone’s earthquake forecasting efforts. So, even if there were people who wished to use the data and methodology of other people in some way I believe that it would be difficult for them to find anyone who is interested in listening to them. In other words, such worries appear to me to be largely a waste of time.

Next, I work in an area of science where there are frequent accidents and much legal activity. Partly as a result of that, over the years I have compiled an extensive knowledge of U.S. law regarding various subjects including patents and copyrights etc. And if you check my Earthquake Forecasting Resources Web page you will see that there is a reference there to a Web page which contains detailed discussions concerning copyrights etc. With a Web site which I believe eventually evolved into Canie’s Web site I specifically requested that an attorney who is familiar with such subject matters provide us with a legal opinion regarding the subject of earthquake predictions so that we could post it there. And his stated opinion was stored there for some time. I still have a copy of it somewhere in my files. Your comments regarding that subject matter do not impress me in the least.

Next, I believe that there is at least one person posting notes to this board who has said that he does not mind if his ear tone data are discussed at my Web site. I have also stated that if you are someone who does not wish to have your ear tone data discussed at my Web site then I would appreciate it if you would try to figure out some way to let me know that. For example, you could send a note to Canie asking her to send me a note requesting that data posted to her Web page which was attributed to someone with a particular initial code not be evaluated. I cannot read other people’s minds regarding whether or not they want their ear tone data evaluated like that. And I have to assume that if they are sending it to her so that it can be posted to a public location then they do wish to share it with others.

Finally, it appears to me that you asked Canie for an official ruling on this matter. And I believe that in the following note she did make her opinion and wishes on this clear. I believe that she said the use of those data was fine with her. Her “official” ruling has been made as you requested. So, can we now have some peace and quiet about this?

These are expressions of my personal opinion.

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