Quote:
Originally Posted by ekbell
As far as I can tell if copyright became perpetual, there would be four initial possibilities upon death of the initial creator(s).
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My proposal for perpetual copyright is life + renewal (every 'x' years).
After an author dies, works would be required to be renewed every 'x' years. If the copyrights aren't renewed, these works would be declared orphans and immediately placed into the public domain. If someone can prove ownership of the copyright within 'x' years after it first enters into the public domain, then the copyright will be re-established.
If during this interim, new works are created based on these temporarily orphaned works, the new copyright holders will be allowed to keep those works indefinitely, provided they renew when required. At no time would they be required to pay the original copyright holders for use of the original works.
Bottom line, keep good records. You can keep your copyrights forever, provided you renew them when required. Failure to do so immediately places these orphaned works into the public domain.