See details on the reprinting at http://www.purplehousepress.com/2001.htm.
From: "Sheridan Brinley" <sbrinley@chm.net>
To: <mark@maxham.com>
Subject: Plans for MSC Books
Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 10:00:38 -0400
Dear Mr. Maxham:
This is to let you and the many Mad Scientists' Club fans I have heard from
in the past few months know the status of our attempts to get my father's
books back in circulation. We hope to have the first book, The Mad
Scientists' Club, published by early next year, which is the 40th
anniversary of the appearance of the first story, The Strange Sea Monster of
Strawberry Lake. While we can't guarantee the timing, our best estimate is
early next year. Even if that time slips however, we still hope to have the
book out during the anniversary year.
We expect to use an on-demand publisher, as the traditional publishers we
have contacted have not shown any interest in the books. While this approach
may be less than ideal in some respects, it will fulfill the principal
desire that we have: to get my father's works in readers' hands once again.
There will be a Web site to promote the books. It will be fairly simple to
start with, but will become more elaborate as the books get wider
circulation.
We appreciate your continued interest, and that of the many fans, in the
stories and look forward to the day when they are again readily available to
all.
Sheridan Brinley
1050 N. Taylor Street
Apt #712
Arlington, VA 22201
Mr. Mark Maxham
3619 Hillcrest Dr.
Belmont, CA 94002
Re: Copyright Rights -- The Mad Scientists' Club Stories and Illustrations
Dear Mr. Maxham:
Please be advised that my sister and I, daughter and son of Bertrand
R. Brinley, are the owners of all copyrights to all of The Mad Scientists'
Club stories and illustrations. Contrary to the information on your
Website (...), the stories and illustrations have never been in the
public domain as the copyrights have always been renewed and remain in
full force and effect.
We demand that you remove all such stories and illustrations as well as
"The One-Armed Bandit" from the referenced Website immediately, as you
are in violation of our copyrights. We are consulting with our lawyer
regarding legal remedies available to us.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Sheridan Brinley
June 21st, 1999
Mr. Sheridan Brinley
Dear Mr. Brinley,
I apologize for my unintentional infringement of your copyright.
On receipt of your letter, I removed all copyrighted material from
my website. There was no intention to profit from my efforts; indeed I
have made a large personal investment in the web version of the books,
and have received no compensation from anyone. I was motivated only
by the desire to preserve the Mad Scientist legacy for the many people
who have enjoyed the books, but who today are unable to obtain them.
The only way to get a Mad Scientist book today is via outrageously
expensive online auctions or tireless searches in used-book stores.
I realize that you have to vigorously protect your copyright in order
to maintain it, but perhaps we can find a way to create some sort
of authorized MSC website. I can think of several ways to create
a revenue-generating site. You might try a pay-per-view setup; you
could advertise; maybe you can generate enough interest to get the
books reprinted. Of course, I don't know what your motivations are,
other than retaining your copyright. In any case, I have no interest in
personal gain, simply a lifelong enjoyment of the stories and characters.
I can't tell you how many times I have received positive rants from people
all over the world, sharing stories of how these books inspired them.
Hopefully you will find the best way to spread your father's fine works.
Sincerely,
Mark Maxham
3619 Hillcrest Dr.
Belmont, CA 94002
1050 N. Taylor Street
Apt #712
Arlington, VA 22201
About the Mad Scientists' Club