Quote:
Originally Posted by Gwen Morse
Which is why we need copyright periods that are shorter rather than longer.  .
I'm baffled that patents are in place for 20 years and copyright is death +70.
Why are useful devices "only" protected for 20 years? Are the creative arts that much more valuable to society than devices? If patent-holders are compensated well enough after 20 years, then creative artists should have 20 years as well.
Just while the thought is occurring to me, why is software protected by both copyright law (and patents in some cases)...when the source code does not have to be published at some point? |
I feel the same way. Patents and copyright should be similiar in this regard...and were.
14 years + 14 year renewal was fine. The 1831 and 1909 laws got us up to 28 + 28...that was probably fine too (given increasing human lifespans).
The life + a bunch of years thing is ridiculous. Maybe life or 28+ 28. Something like that. The only reason it has been extended to terms that are almost better measured in centuries is for the benefit of corporations like Disney. Not society.