Writing Assignment #3Name
1. XYZ Inc. developed a new electronic “bug zapper.” The
device attracts bugs with a unique high pitched tone and then
kills the bugs when they encounter an electric charge. Because
XYZ was in a rush to get the product to stores it did not patent
the device. A competitor, Snowdon Electronics bought 50 of
XYZ’s bug zappers. Snowdon’s engineers took them apart, studied the technology, then
duplicated the machine. Snowdon was able to sell its machines for $5 less than XYZ.
body
2. Prof. Lizardo, angered by the high price of textbooks, went to Blinko’s Copies and made a copy
of the textbook that he used in his class (he was not the author). Lizardo then had Blinko’s make
250 copies of a “coursepack.” This included all but 50 pages of the textbook plus 50 pages of
Lizardo’s own notes and study questions. Lizardo required his students to buy the
coursepack directly from Blinko’s for $30. The textbook sold at the college bookstore for $110.
Required: Answer the following questions giving reasons for your answers.
1. Does XYZ have a good legal cause of action against Snowdon?
2. The textbook’s publisher and author have sued Lizardo and Blink’s for copyright infringement.
Blinks claims Lizardo is solely to blame. Lizardo claims that this was a “fair use and even if it is
not Blinko’s is solely to blame. Is either Lizardo or Blinko’s correct?