[mrscoach]

Say I write a book, but before I get it published I get hit by a bus. Now, my hubby put up with me during the writing of said book. The moodiness, the highs and lows, being woken up in the middle of the night by my frantic typing. If copyright ends at death then he has no incentive to try to get my book published.

Or if I had gotten it accepted by a publisher, but it wasn't out yet, he has no incentive to let the publisher print it. But wait, since I am dead then the publisher can go ahead and publish the book without paying my husband anything. Even if I had signed a contract with them but not gotten paid my hubby would get nothing. Why? Because he lost all rights upon my death.

Here's a twist. Texas is a community property state, so does the book belong to us jointly and is he really part owner and deserving of payment for 'our' property?

Life+10-15 or a set time (say 30-40). I haven't made up my mind what is best and for how long, but I know the length now is too long.

ETA: I'm supposing copyright ends at death. Sorry, forgot to clarify that.