Quote:
Originally Posted by Format C:
Actually, copyright limits what you can create before that.
Can you create a Bilbo Baggins adventure? No.
Can you create a Elvis Presley remix? No.
Can you create a photograph of moonlight over Half-Dome? No.
Can you create a new episode of Rawhide? No.
You'll need special permissions from some copyright holder who can veto your ideas.
OTOH, the lack of copyright permitted the release of a masterpiece like Dan Simmon's Ilium....
I think copyright is a limit more than an incentivator for creativity....
 |
I didn't realize I needed to specify that I meant original material. I'm well aware of all of the above - and my original creations get the same protections as (some of) those you listed.
You also make it sound like getting the permission is impossible, but that's not always the case. Remember JXL? And no one is stopping you from doing any of those things - you just can't publicly distribute them or sell them. Be creative till the cows come home - you can't make money off of my property or clutter up Youtube without my permission. Too bad.
Eradicating protection would definitely hamper creativity far more than the current limitations. Do you think independent filmmakers would put up their savings and months, even years, of hard work to create a film if ANYONE could come along and chop it to pieces? It would eradicate entire markets currently available to artists.
I don't expect you to see it from my point of view, but from where I'm sitting, getting rid of copyright so that others can do as they wish with my creations is never going to get my vote.
Shorter limits? Yes, I am in favor of that. I would be happy with Life, and Estate getting first option and a limited time to decide, and no renewel. In other words, the Estate can't just hold it for the sake of doing so. I wouldn't want my heirs just sitting on it. If they don't want to make money with it in the time available, turn it loose in PD. I would be perfectly happy with that.
But don't expect me to agree that copyright is bad because of a dearth of Elvis remixes.