Quote:
Originally Posted by rkomar
Your point is that it could be worse, but the question is: Is what we have now good enough? It is if the only criterion is to make sure that the book doesn't entirely disappear from the world. However, having a book in the LOC doesn't make it relevant in the country's culture. The fact that so many books are now kept out of the culture by copyright says to me that the terms are out of balance. This artificial scarcity of cheap older books is beneficial to those selling new books, so extending the length of terms isn't just about keeping Mickey in copyright.
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Capitalism? Do what's best for your own personal bottom line (in the short term) and the devil take anyone else?
Or at least that's how its implemented. Point is, trying to tell big businesses that American culture is more important than their bottom line is going to bring allegations of Communism or Socialism, and a fast trip out for any politician who tries it.
It also implies that reading is part of American culture in the first place. I'm not so sure it ever was.