Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
Don't forget that copyright covers not only the actual work, but also "derivative works" - ie sequels. A successful film "franchise" ("Star Wars" would be a good example) can be around for significantly longer than 20 years.
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Yes, and each of those derivative works has its own copyright. The difference is that after 20 years, other people can also make derivative works of the original film. For twenty years, only 20th Century Fox can make sequels to Star Wars. That's a great incentive. After 20 years, competing studios can make their own alternative sequels to the original Star Wars. Everyone benefits.
We -- society -- receive diminishing returns as we further lengthen the copyright. What we have to ask is, if a film studio doesn't believe it can make a sufficient ROI on a film in 20 years, is it really going to make a difference if the copyright is 40 years? No, of course not. A film studio won't produce a film unless it hopes to make a profit in the first year.