|
The expiration of patents accomplishes this for medical drugs, when they are allowed to go generic. The expiration of copyright accomplish this for written works. I wouldn't want to see government take any active hand in deciding what materials get put into the public domain early.
Besides, doesn't current "fair use" cover all public need for the usurping of rights you're suggesting?
If you start doing it willy-nilly then you stifle private investment (e.g. drug development). No profit means no incentive to do it, aside fom humanitarian motivations. That and $2.00 gets you a large cup of coffee at Starbucks.
|