Quote:
Originally Posted by dmaul1114
It's just something that really shouldn't be in the constitution. It relates to business (right to sell your creations) and should just be covered by laws just like all the SEC, antitrust laws etc. etc. we have.
I'd take it out all together, as above. Leave it a legal issue, not a constitutional issue.
Have a law that requires people to register for copyrights, and have the copyrights give them (and/or their publisher etc.) sole control over the sales, distribution, and re-use (re-mixes etc.) of their content from the time of creation/copyright until 10 years after death when it will become the public domain.
No need to mention the for the good of society, progress of the arts etc. That's just BS. People can buy the book, get it from the library, rent the movie, see the painting and/or authorized reproductions in gallaries etc. Things can progress just fine while stuff isn't in the public domain.
The only thing they can do is take it and sell it on their own, remix it etc. until it's in the public domain--hardly any great set back to progress.
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Ah, but technically, congress is only granted the powers given in the constitution (I know, abused through the interstate commerce clause).
But again, the reason for the copyright is society, that is why they give up something of material value (ie the ability to copy). You feel entitled to take something without ever having to give back for that ability.
--Carl