Life+25 would give only 30 years of copyright for any work created in the last five years of your life. I think it's better to increase the fixed length and decrease the variable length.
So my preferred option is "the greater of fifty years from publication or the lifetime of the author, whichever is longer".
As for being able to leave the fruits of your labours to your heirs, you can - just like anyone else. The assets you have left over from the total you've earned in your lifetime are yours to leave to anyone you like when you die. (Well, apart from any that the taxman takes.) This includes any residual length of monopoly. Hmm... I wonder if, when the copyright length got extended, the taxman counted that in estate caculations?
Anyone supporting dependents should have life insurance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
You may be surprised to hear that I actually agree with you that life + 70 is excessive. I'd be happy with, say, life + 25. I think the point about it being "more" than life is important; if I'm an author with a wife and young children, they should be able to continue to receive income from my books in the event of my death.
|