Quote:
Originally Posted by UncleIvor
I find the idea that copyright should extend 70years after the death of the author bizarre. It should die with him.
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If I recall correctly the original copyright period in the U.S. was 14 years. Even that seems overly long to me. Copyright was never intended to be ownership. It's simply a chance for a creator to have a head start at a chance to profit from his creation. When the vast majority of books are out of print in a few months, at least with paper books, going out of print for some period should end copyright and in those few cases where it stays in print longer it should still have a fixed term.
Now with ebooks that gets a lot more complex but a reasonable fixed term should still apply.
If a home builder builds a home for you, how long do his royalties continue? Why doesn't he get the same benefits as a writer?
Yes I realize this is very complex stuff but it's important stuff and I think this has been a worthwhile discussion. We haven't decided anything or convinced anyone and we probably never will but if we all try to understand one another's points of view and the flaws in our own points of view maybe someday things will improve.
Wait! I meant the flaws in your points of view, of course. Not mine!
Barry