Quote:
Originally Posted by tubemonkey
Since copyright terms are fairly arbitrary, how about some of these?
others???
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How about
:
For author: till death of author or inheriting spouse, whichever is later (screw the kids - they've enjoyed the fruits of their parent's creation all their lives. It's time for them to go out and earn their own keep.)
For publisher: five years or until the first time a bookstore receives a 'not available from publisher' notice, whichever is shorter.
Same should apply to music and film.
But here is what someone one day will see:
2411-04-07 Congress today passed the 67th amendment to the Copyright Term Extension Act.
This amendment lengthens the period of copyright to 500 years from production date. It occurred just in time to prevent the first Mickey Mouse cartoon from entering the public domain, an event which would have had catastrophic consequences for the production of new entertainment according to a spokesman for the MPAA.
2511-04-07 Norman & Schyster sues Gutenberg for $45 jillion for publication and distribution of Shakespeare works.
Since congress approved the bill adding retroactive copyright to works previously in the public domain it has become popular for publishing houses to buy up copyright from descendants of these works. N&S were the lucky winners of the sale of rights by the descendants of William Shakespeare. The high figure reflects the number of descendants now living said a N&S spokesman. Gutenberg refused to comment on the rumour that they will have to close their doors if the case goes against them. The organisation has been struggling since there have been no new works entering the public domain for 450 years.