|
When copyright lapses on old music, we don't get the old recordings for free. We pay for new recordings of it, because the new recording gets a fresh copyright. The actual music would be free and available to anyone who wants to print up sheet music and sell it. Or anyone who wants to use it in performance or recording. Lots of opportunities for creativity and commerce, and the old copyright holder is free to compete for them.
The only thing that changes when copyright lapses is that a temporary monopoly ends.
|