Quote:
Originally Posted by rcentros
Again, I do understand the "point" of copyright. But I think the value of what the writer creates should be something that he can pass down to his heirs. I don't understand why something of value, created by the writer can't benefit his children and their children.
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I think of it this way: writers can (and do) pass the benefits of their creation to their children. I would even go so far as to say they're
entitled to pass those benefits/rights on. The estates of the creators will likely
always have an advantage over all others when it comes to profiting from their progenitor's work. Fans are typically fans of the creator as much as they are fans of the work. Fans (read: the ones who are going to be doing most of the buying) typically want to pay the "right" person.
What they're not entitled to pass on to their heirs (in my opinion), is perpetual, government-supplied protection from others
also making money on those creations (after a reasonable and finite exclusivity period).
Allowing others to use the characters and stories from works that have succeeded in becoming a part of the fabric of our culture is only natural, in my opinion. It does not mean anything is being stolen from anyone, nor does it mean anyone's ability (including any rightful heirs) to profit from them dries up (or even diminishes at all) when they enter the public domain. Quite the opposite, in fact.