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Originally Posted by tubemonkey
Sure you can. Laws are artificial constructs created and supported by society. They remain in force as long as society allows it. If society wishes to do a 180 and reverse themselves, they're free to do so. Just because society deems something so, doesn't make it the only "correct" way to do it.
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I agree, the laws as they are don't support what you would like to be true about intellectual property, which I think we agree on and this could be changed. But you haven't provided any compelling reason for this change, which is what I was hoping for. Yes,
Quote:
Originally Posted by tubemonkey
Not all ideas are equal. A talking animated mouse in and of itself should not be allowed to be copyrighted where it prohibits anyone else from creating a talking animated mouse. But, a specific talking animated mouse with its own traits should be allowed. There's plenty of room for any number of copyrighted mice; whether it's Mickey Mouse, Mighty Mouse, Pixie and Dixie, or Pinky and the Brain. Copyrighted Mickey didn't prevent any of these other mice from being created.
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I disagree, for the reasons I've already said above. It's useful for creators to be able to remix old stories and characters and it benefits society at large. A large number of Disney classics are based on public domain works (Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, etc.), and our culture is better when new creators can innovate on old ideas and expressions.
And again, letting someone lock up an expression or an idea forever hurts society in a more subtle way - it encourages creators to rest on their laurels rather than create new works.
Any way you look at, the idea of patents rights or copyright that never expires makes no sense. It flies in the face of the purpose of ip rights, and benefits no one.