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Originally Posted by pwalker8
Hum, I don't know that I would call what was the norm for most of recorded history as legally sanctioned piracy. Once again, copyright is a contract between copyright holder and the government. Once a copyright expires a work goes into what is arguably it's natural state, i.e. public domain. Copyright is simply a mechanism for paying artists. Prior to copyright artists were either not paid, paid as a work for hire, or supported by the wealthy.
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I would argue, that it is totally about perspective, and history has many variables in what used to occur. Some would say, that what happened in the past is irrelevant, and that we live in a more considered and enlightened world now, and that fairness is the key.
Certainly many authors and publishers, who would like to leave a legacy to their family, don't agree with Public Domain. I guess a good number of them would see the situation as theft sanctioned by authority.
At the end of the day, a bunch of other people, made up some rules about Public Domain, essentially based on public opinion. Because of that, those law makers have come up with a bunch of criteria, which often varies from country to country, and can change over time. That criteria being a justification and or an imperative.
My own view, is it isn't a black & white situation. So I kind of agree with elements on both sides.
But it does kind of suggest, that a good portion of the Public Domain status, is about critical mass ... one side over-riding the other due to numbers and public interest justification.