[PKFFW]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

We shouldn't. I'm not advocating the destruction of copyright. I'm saying, it wouldn't be the end of all creativity ever, and we'd find ways to pay creators--some of them, anyway--for their work. (Right now, we only pay some creators. The mix of who gets paid and who works for free would shift.)

I'm in complete agreement that copyright should not be eliminated; I can't think of a setup to replace it that would result in as much open creativity and ability to reward artists & scientists for their efforts. I can't think of anything better. I can't think of anything as good.

We are in agreement on this. I hope you don't think I misunderstand that. I reply to your points because you reply to mine and this is what discussion is all about.

With luck some others who may not agree have been reading our discussion and it may influence their position. If not, that is ok too.

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I can think of a few ways to provide some payment, and a few ways that could provide rewards to artists who currently aren't supported, and I trust that, sans copyright, people would come up with more methods.

All these methods are available now. If anyone wishes to try any other alternative method as well, they are free to do so with or without copyright. The telling fact is that currently no alternative method to paying for the content has been shown to provide anywhere near the same rewards. In fact just about every other method tried so far has been shown to provide substantially less rewards. So much so that I know of no author that has decided to completely forgo payment in exchange for content in preference to some other method of compensation.(not counting those who write for the love of writing only and do not care if they receive any compensation to begin with)

At best there are authors who are willing to forgo payment in exchange for content in the hope and expectation that future payment in exchange for content will be larger and thus act as compensation for the prior efforts that went without compenstation.

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

The most good I could imagine coming out of the removal of copyright law is its reinstatement with shorter terms, better detail about what's covered, and more specific fair use-esque exceptions.

Agreed. However then it wouldn't really be the abolition of copyright but rather a reworking of it.

Cheers,
PKFFW