Quote:
Originally Posted by Good Old Neon
Human nature is such that, if given a choice between paying for something, or getting it for free, especially when the negative consequences of doing so are hidden, the majority of times, we prefer free. But that, of course, does not make it right.
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Nor does it make it wrong.
Artists are not "entitled" to be paid for their works (they have to convince someone their works are valuable); they are especially not "entitled" to be paid for the same work for a hundred years. They are given a
limited-time, partial monopoly of certain uses of their works--with the purpose of promoting progress in the arts & sciences. When their monopoly stops promoting progress and creativity in others, it should end.
Want to stop downloading of current music? Put copyrights back where they used to be: 28 years maximum. Throw everything created before 1980 into the public domain, and watch the creative explosions as new movies, songs, books and other derivatives flood the marketplace. Watch education grow as children have easy access to e-versions of the important texts of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
The foundation of our culture is being held for ransom by publishing houses, movie production companies and the RIAA.