I think I found it, it was a law book.
http://lists.essential.org/1995/info-policy-notes/msg00019.h...
http://lists.essential.org/1995/info-policy-notes/msg00019.h...
Incidentally a good historical anecdote; in addition to many aspects in-and-around copyright I tend to think the thinking around public records laws is woefully antiquated (to our general detriment).
Thanks for finding that.