The Standards of a Child's Library

The vagueness of obscenity standards coupled with the purpose of the copyright law lead to the conclusion that the elimination of the provisions on lbe uncopyrightability of obscene works must be construed as a "legislative denial" of the obscenity defense to copyright infringement. The copyright law has no relevance as a censorship statute and to view it as such is to lose sight of :ts fundamental purpose.

The very real social problem of obscenity demands measures that adequately and effectively serve as solutions. But it should not breed a paranoia that blinds society to other relevant areas of concern. The right to creativity and the freedom to express it is one such area.

One final point: The possibility of reducing the treatment of Ideas to the "standards of a child's library" is very real. Perhaps, in this instance, it would not be amiss to err on the other side of caution.