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Originally Posted by SleepyBob
Except that you don't give a reason for copyright being a good thing, you just assume it is. It isn't a good thing, in and of itself - it's only good because of the impact it has. I would argue that copyrights are inherently bad. They create friction where none is needed. The only redeeming quality of copyright is that it keeps creators from being robbed of the fruit of their labors the second after they create it. And our society has deemed that important enough to protect.
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Copyright was a hot button item for Ben Franklin because as a newspaper publisher, he would write various columns under different pseudonyms to fill out his paper. Since the columns were fairly witty and well received, other publishers would immediately copy the columns and print them in their papers.
You make the traditional argument for copyright. The alternate argument that Lee makes, i.e. that copyright is the same a real property and should be eternal, is one that is rarely voiced, but quite a few artists seem to feel that way.
Interestingly, Victor Hugo the father of the Berne Accords, also was a strong supporter of public domain and felt that works should go into public domain on the death of the author.