This is the problem with excessive copyright law. Thomas Babington Macaulay had this to say when debating a proposed extension to copyright lay in 1841:
Remember too that, when once it ceases to be considered as wrong and discreditable to invade literary property, no person can say where the invasion will stop. The public seldom makes nice distinctions. The wholesome copyright which now exists will share in the disgrace and danger of the new copyright which you are about to create. And you will find that, in attempting to impose unreasonable restraints on the reprinting of the works of the dead, you have, to a great extent, annulled those restraints which now prevent men from pillaging and defrauding the living.
I encourage everyone to read McCaulay's speeches on copyright, available at
http://www.baen.com/library/palaver4.htm
Paul
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
With all due respect, you cannot use the extension of copyright terms by Disney et al (which we all agree is abusive) as an excuse to justify illegal copying of current books (which would be in copyright in ANY country, since the author is still alive). It is just plain WRONG to read a book without paying the author, who's worked damned hard to write that book. Not just illegal but plain WRONG. Everyone deserves to be paid for their work if that work is used by someone.
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