Quote:
Originally Posted by pdurrant
You actually have the same copyright over both items.
In the programming case, you have sold your entire intellectual property rights in the work you do that day to the company you're working for, for a flat fee.
In the limerick case you describe, you've sold limited publication rights, probably with reversion clauses so you get the publication rights back again.
But perhaps you worked for a greetings card company, and created the limerick in one day working for them, as a work for hire, and again, you've sold your entire intellectual property rights for the day's wage.
It all depends on the contract under which you do the work.
regards,
Paul
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Let me rephrase my quibble. There is a small class of people who are able to use copyright to their advantage. They are busy telling the rest of us (who can't) that the entire creative world will come to an end if they don't get to keep
all their special privileges (and their heirs and assigns). I'm sorry, I don't buy it. In some sections of I.P. yes, others no. If you cut it back to what patent has, I doubt if you'd lose much at all. Remember, copyright is a balancing act between the needs of the public for free access to creative products and the encouragement of new I.P. creation. It's not a social welfare program for a creative class, unto the n'th generation...