Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
Why do you believe that the goals of the Berne Convention are not rational?
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The Berne Convention is a 19th century treaty trying to operate in a 21st century world. The treaty may once have been rational but should be re-examined to ensure it makes sense in light of new technologies and new economic understandings about copyright law. We've had over a century now since the Berne Convention (and decades since the last amendment), I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that it's time to take another look at it. How can it be rationally applied to a world where everyone has the equivalent of a printing press in their homes?
The sub-committee that issued the report that is the topic of this thread recommended that copyright terms and renewals be limited to avoid negative externalities. If limiting copyright terms is rational, and the Berne Convention would prevent limiting copyright terms because it was negotiated in a different era, then the Berne Convention is irrational.